Fellow atheists, do you think religion has ever done anything remotely useful?

There was lion fighting.

Promotion of the arts during the renaissance - most of the artists were working on church commissioned work, which led them to private patrons. The church has also done what they could to preserve that art and allow access to it by the public.

I'm sure I can think of more, but the chicken must be gotten out of the oven, so I'll come edit this later.

EDIT - making the stovetop stuffing, so I'll add persevation of literature, especially religious, that the Catholic church is now making available to researchers and universities. Probably the biggest collection since the Library at Alexandria, which was sadly destroyed. Makes me wonder what all was in there, you know? What other lost religions, lost writers, etc?

Of course,

If not for the Catholic Church, the last vestiges of Roman culture wouldn't have survived, and we wouldn't know about such great literary minds of the late Republic such as Cicero and Cato.

It's because of the Catholic Church that Latin has survived through the ages.

Islam, Judaism, and Christianity have kept alive many, many concepts, ideas, and other things that would have otherwise ceased to exist through the slow decay of time.

Now, when it comes to Protestantism as opposed to Catholicism, it hasn't done a damn thing useful since it's creation, except create more atheists.

I don't believe in God, and never will, but I can't deny that my life's work is based on a civilization that, if not for Christianity, would have otherwise been forgotten.

Many people gain a sense of hope and purpose from their religions. Many take the words of Jesus to mean that they should help the less fortunate.

I find value in many religions. I do not find any value in the hate or bigotry that some mask in the cloak of religion.

Edit- "Because any sane, rational, logical person knows that a godless, amoral, irreligious world where man was free to pursue his own selfish will, fleshly desires and wicked schemes would have been SO much better!"

Finally Paulo, you have seen the light. What? Oh it's sarcasm, nevermind.

The fear of punishment did bring some morallity into some people's life, however that doesn't happen anymore. It seems that so many religious people think they are moral just cause they say so.

Religions and the concept of supernatural thing brought us ghosts movies, oh how I love those!

It brought me some very interesting talks with my friends, and it made me realise just how far human stupidity can go (and I must add I learned that here, in my country people are not like this)

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anything useful besides brainwash the ***** out of every living and breathing person? no.

religion is an absurd way of trying to belive that there is good in this world, when really, know one can prove the existance of anything they are preaching.

it's so hard to take this "church" thing seriously, seeing every person with their eyes glued to the pastor talking about what's right and what's wrong, when if you think about it, there is no "right" and there is no "wrong."

i can't understand how a BOOK can render the minds of so many, thinking that if they abide by these standards, they will be "saved" and sent straight to heaven.

Who is to prove that?

i think the Easter Bunny makes more sense than this.

c'mon now.

i agree with you completely.

religion is nothing worthwhile.

There are actually religions that are very active in human rights in the US and abroad and have helped to improve the lives of many.

While I get your general idea, be careful not to confuse religious hype with the good that some actually do.

Yes of course religion funds many charity's. Run many schools and does social work that needs doing there is no doubt religion has served useful purposes. An Atheist.

im not exactly atheist but im not catholic either but i think it has kept some people sane because without a reason to live i think the world would go crazy i dont need one because i just believe u should be good to be a good person not because ur going to a heaven or hell but also ive seen some atheists who dis to many other religions i wanna ask you guys 2 stop that cuz it does hurt ppl n it is the right thing to do im not saying u cant make fun of them jus don say stuff like "god is a figment of your imagination"

there is one thing, but it is not particularly a good thing and that is justification for murder. If a war happens over oil, or gold, it might be frowned upon, but if it is slated for "religious reasons" (i.e. hatred of those who do not go with your beliefs so kill'em all, as I like to call it) it is called a crusade by history. I think more human lives are lost over religious difference than anything else in human history, are you listening muslims and catholics?