Good Use for religion?

[abaris]

Is there a way to manipulate religion to control stupid people from doing unethical things without the cost of justifying bad behavior?

What do you think?

Every ideology is used to manipulate people in a certain way. Usually to bring out the worst in people. Religions at their extremes are nothing but ideologies. It's got nothing to do with stupid people doing unethical things. Stupid in itself doesn't do unethical and intelligent doesn't automatically do ethical.

I've met stupid or ignorant people being among the wisest and kindhearted folks you can imagine. And I've met learned and intelligent people who are amongst the most despicable creatures you can imagine.

There's no simplistic solution to the problems of human nature and the outside influences forming individuals. If you go down the path of manipulating people under whatever flag, you usually get unwanted results. At least if you want to install what you perceive to be ethics into them.