You have presented ZERO evidence. And made no substantive claims for any benefits of religion.
I believe somewhere above, or in another thread we shared, I reported that Catholic Charities is the second leading provider of social services in the United States.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Charities_USA
In 2008, Catholic Charities agencies served over 8 million individuals.Together with the local, diocesan-associated Catholic Charities, it is the second largest social service provider in the United States, surpassed only by the federal government.
I'd guess most or all Christian churches have similar charity wings, though I am less familiar with these activities, and can not provide specific data. I'm sure many other religions also are involved in such service to their communities.
The sum total of all these constructive activities is surely considerable, and must be placed upon the scale, right along side all the stupid and dangerous things that many religions are also involved in.
Here's the underlying problem that will obstruct an intelligent dialog between us on this subject.
On this particular subject, you are profoundly confused about the difference between reason and ideology. To be fair to you, many religious people also share this confusion.
On this particular subject, you will adamantly reject any evidence anybody provides which does not support the conclusion you want, any evidence which does not make you the one who is
right. And you will most likely offer your rejection of any inconvenient evidence with generous helpings of snotty condescension superiority poses etc, revealing an emotion driven bias to one and all.
Chaz. What I've just described is called ideology. Nobody is immune from it, and each of us have our hot button topics where we slide out of reason in to ideology. Religion appears to be that topic for you.
I don't challenge your right to have this ideology. And I'm not interested in changing your ideology.
I'm only challenging the labeling of your passionate ideology as reason. This seems entirely appropriate on a philosophy forum.
If any of us wish to claim the flag of reason on this particular topic, we will have to give up any attachment we may have to any particular conclusion. We have to surrender to the evidence, and allow it to take us where ever it may lead.
Before you slam down on the reply button, I ask you to please pause just a moment, and privately consider whether your motivation is to reach for truth, or prove that you are right.
If it's the later, you are engaged in ideology, not reason.
If that's true, then just call it ideology, and I withdraw my complaint.