Is religion a necessary evil?

[Pat Mustard]

Looking at the tragic statistics on suicide and crime, does religion with it's scare tactics doesn't sound so bad?

I mean, if you believe in Hell, even partially, you won't be as likely to kill yourself or become a criminal.

The main reason why suicide statistics are up here in Ireland is that the stigma against suicide is down enough that it can be recorded as the cause of death by doctors or coroners. When the rcc controlled the country the backlash against those who committed it and their families was so harsh and severe any moral doctor would certify natural causes or accidental death if they could.

If I had to guess I'd reckon the actual suicide rate was higher in the 50's than now, not alone because of economic hardship, but also because suicide was, according to the church, the second most evil thing you could do (only behind dobbing in criminals wearing cassocks or habits to the law), there were no mental health services. If you were cracking under the pressure there was nobody you could turn to, by church fiat.