Is religion a necessary evil?

[robvalue]

I think we shouldn't be too angry at religion, because it does helps lot's of people. That was my thought.

Of course. I have no problem with it helping people. My problem is the harm it causes, which in my opinion outweighs the good. But either way, much as I loathe the idea of religion, I’m not angry at actual religious people.

What does make me angry is children being indoctrinated with ideas about hell, because it’s known to be psychologically damaging. If a parent can’t come up with any other way of encouraging good behaviour, they shouldn’t be parents in the first place. Fear doesn’t produce understanding either, it just produces blind obedience.