The harms of religion

[StatCrux]

Does any more need to be said?

Yes. I could add that sex is seen as something dirty and vile, that sex ed isn't taught in religious circles, leading in horrible teenage pregnancy statistics and abortion for those girls isn't an option. I could also mention mutilation of the genitalia of both genders to make sure that sex isn't pleasurable.
The fear of eternal torture isn't the whole story, thinking that someone is watching you constantly and judging your every move can cause severe anxiety and mental disorders.
My 'favorite' harm though is the inabilty to question. You're supposed to believe without a doubt and if you dare to ask "Why?" you'll be seen as insolent and evil.
That's my two cents.

This quite simply absurd, sex is not viewed as "dirty and vile". It is viewed as wrong outside of marriage. I would be very interested to see the teenage pregnancy statistics for before and after the introduction of contraception and liberal sexual attitudes (pre and post 1960's) The teenage pregnancy rates in Europe have soared in recent years not gone down, as religion has declined teenage pregnancy rates have increased not decreased. And finally, are you saying that a belief in hell creates serious mental disorder? I would suggest that people susceptible to mental disorder can become fixated on the idea of hell, but the idea doesn't create mental illness.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/...32669.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/health...soars.html