I don't think it's bad to believe in a higher power, but overall I tend to think organized religion can be extremely harmful. Brings to mind a cult-like mindset that's dangerous.

@jlhfan624 I don't really agree that religion brings a cult-like mindset. Well not all religions at least. But I do agree that it can be harmful in other ways. Like some people can use religion to gain power and money through it. And not to mention that it has sparked some wars in the past.

Religion can be a good thing. It's usually the way people interpret and practice it that causes problems.

Religion itself is good. Radicals of certain religions are bad. One of my favorite Shakespeare quotes goes as the following;
“The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
An evil soul producing holy witness
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart.
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!”

And this is what we need to be weary of. Anyone can twist words to suit their agenda. Religion it's the people who weaponize it. Love isn't bad but someone can just as easily make it so. Bellatrix for instance loves Voldemort and killed people for him to express her love. Does that make love bad? Nah. It makes Bellatrix an asshole. (My precious trashlord.)

I'm pretty sure that religion generally was exist for human's goodness. What makes religion seems bad for some peoples are those humans who were extremly fanatic and radical with certain religions.

The West wouldn't exist without religion (Christianity). But there can be bad people doing bad things, and possibly bad rules to follow. Overall, religion is necessary for civilization to continue.I'm not Christian by the way but...

Christianity had a major role in ending infanticide, slavery, human sacrifices, and polygamy. They also condemned incest, divorce, abortion, adultery, and stuff like that.

The Christian Church created universities, social services, gave medical care and treatment. Inspired culture, architecture, philosophy, music, and art. Basically all the major scientists were devout Christians. There was only a problem with certain corrupt institutions that wanted to hold onto power.

Religion celebrates parenthood and complementary natural differences between men and women. They consider children a blessing rather than a burden.

I'm American, and our country was founded on religious morals.

"That Book is the rock on which our Republic rests." - Andrew Jackson

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” - George Washington

"I have always said that a studious perusal of the sacred volume will make us better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands." - Thomas Jefferson

The history of Christianity has never been perfect and only a fool would expect it to be. However, it gave us mostly all of what we have today and it took us out of the barbaric world and into a new way of life. The West is doomed the moment we abandon the values which made us.

Think of it as a tool, like a hammer. A hammer used well can be used to build a house, but used badly can be used to bash someone's brains out. it all depends on how you use religion and for what ends.

^ Exactly.

On it's own, religion is perfectly fine. But just like life, religion is also not black n' white--it's more spread out and diverse than most are willing to admit. By this, I mean that there are those whom are peaceful, some are a bit pushy, and then you get the die-hard extremists. Like with most things, religion itself isn't bad. It's the individuals WITHIN said religion that may have evil intentions.