Follow up: Then why do we blame religion for being evil?

I think the best way to sum it up is using the old saying, "Guns don't kill people; people kill people." That is "religion isn't evil, people are evil." Yes, God gave people free will, to choose, and just because you are a representative of religion, wearing a outfit, and do wrong, doesn't necessarily lead to the conclusion that religion is bad. However religion bashing is always a popular sport throughout the centuries.. Why should I follow religion if they are just a bunch of hypocritical, money scamming fakes? That relieves me from the responsibilities of doing God's will. I have cart blanch, free rein to do what I want to. This is faulty logic of course, it is just someone looking for an excuse. People want to use logic, to neutralize and trivialize religion so they can run riot. I'm not really "religious" per say but even I can see what religion bashers are all about. Peace

I guess my first contention would be: I don't think religion should be considered a tool. People's actions can and should be considered right or wrong. But, I'm also not fond of using terms like Good and Evil. That seem to enhance extremist views.

Maybe it would be useful to see if people actually consider religion to be a tool, symbolic or otherwise.

I agree. Religion is an antiquated tool that causes a lot of confusion in minds who cannot understand the ramifications of doing something out of the name of a religion.

Sort of like a Iron Maiden, a tool, which was used to extract information from all kinds of people...especially those who felt it their religious rite to not practice as the masses did.

The tool itself is not evil...but it represents evil to anyone with the knowledge of what it is used for. Just like a flag can be a representation of evil to some people, but a sign of hope and prosperity to others.

All tools, all taken for granted by those who use them. Its called human nature.

You are equating a material object, a sword, with a social entity, religion. Not sure you can do this. Weak analogy at best.

Religion CAN be evil if it's created as such. If one founded a "religion" that has as its primary goal, "death to all redheads," then that "religion" would be evil. The people the belonged and followed that tenet would be evil as well.

p.s. I'm not advocating the annihilation of all redheads.....

Semantics.

They are decrying the horrible/ moronic/ outlandish things done that use religion as a sanctioning reason for justification. If licorice was involved in as much slaughter, strife, and violence, we'd call licorice evil, two.

It may be a a poor description, but it is a powerful association.

A group of people with similar belief structures (religious beliefs), who find a common thing against their beliefs, have a tendency to use a "mob mentality" when disagreeing with a certain something....

The mob mentality can be dangerous....

Religion exist in the minds of people. How can you classify that as a tool. It is more like a cause.

Yes, but you've neglected the point that RELIGION IS A WASTE OF TIME AND ENERGY. WHAT IS THE POINT OF SPENDING YOUR LIFE THINKING ABOUT THE EXISTENCE OF SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE NOT EVEN SURE EXISTS--AND CAN NEVER BE SURE IF IT EXISTS

Ramen to that. does that mean you are going to help me defend Islam? i see a lot of hate against that religion today.

I have experienced religion and I can tell you that it divides societies. They all have their own agenda