Mr Ramanand has presented some unrefutable facts, but I see two major methodological problems. I can predict a totally reverse result if paul's study waslongitudinal on association between religious faith and societal conditions during last 100 years in the United States (or any other country). Secondly the article looks at the facts with colored glasses. I presetn a different perspective. The religion has intrahuman, interhuman and intersocietal aspects. It has served a useful purpose in the first two aspectsbut not on the inter-societal aspect. We should not forget that like religion being our old passion, we have passion with democracy and we have seen 50 years of cold war between two different kinds of 'democracies' and current Iraq war is less related to religion and more to 'attempt to exportdemocracy'. without going into truth of god/evil or democracy or (even science) because truth depends on context, I would like to say that the context is- for majority in the world religion is still very much intrahuman and interhuman like vital force and not opium or cynide. Dhanesh
\'According to the study,\' conducted by Paul for the Journal of Religion and Society, an American academic journal, \'belief in and worship of God are not only unnecessary for a healthy society but may actually contribute to social problems,\' the Times said. \'The study counters the view of believers that religion is necessary to provide the moral and ethical foundations of a healthy society.\'
My Comments: Religion is meant for ethical, moral values which promote progress of civilization. There could be different religions each having exclusive/narrow or all inclusive(broader perspective) set of beliefs. But inspite of all killings and fight in the name of religion, Religion is not the culprit, but the people who refuse to learn better style from others and dont expand the realm of their religious beliefs.
According to Paul, \'The non-religious, pro-evolution democracies contradict the dictum that a society cannot enjoy good conditions unless most citizens ardently believe in a moral creator. The widely held fear that a Godless citizenry must experience societal disaster is therefore refuted.\'
My Comments: Democracies or Pro-evolution does not mean one has to be Atheist.
What is religion? What is religion in the hands of men? A Christian will ask: What is religion in the hands of sinful men? Your reasonings are logical but your premise need to right!!! You prove it by your apparently logical reasonings and out right condemnation without getting into the the essence of man and religion. A honest and sincere reflection on the tortuous death of Jesus Christ and his life and message will definitely not make you extoll the virtues of a death by your cyanide(religion).
