Why religion should not vanish

[Napoléon]

It does. Some of the most devout believers I have met have been the ones with the least. It's what gives them the strength to keep going and do what they believe is right. For someone with literally nothing, Gods love is everything.

I'm sure that will give them clean water and an education.

I don't think it makes the population dumb

I said it keeps the population dumb, not makes it.

I think the population is pretty stupid already (just take a peek at facebook or twitter anytime soon), the only difference is organized religion is very efficient at capitalizing upon it and putting it to use.

Very good on capitalizing on those in poor circumstances and those with low intellect. Yes.

I'm advocating the same. Some people do need to be led along like sheep, they are not capable of doing it on their own. I think a religion of some form is the simplest way of getting people together to work towards something useful. You can use patriotism or a shared interest but religion is what gets the most absolute and unfailing devotion.

I don't know, I think the Nazi's did a pretty good job mobilizing a nation, they did that for the most part without religion. I wouldn't say religion is the only way of getting people to work towards a common goal, or necessarily the best way.

Not always, in Northern Ireland for instance while it's constantly framed as Protestants Vs Catholics it's really a nationalistic battle; Scottish planters vs Native Irish.

Are you seriously suggesting that the conflict in Northern Ireland has nothing to do with religion. That it plays no part?

Even still, it's pretty irrelevant. Not all conflicts are caused by religion. That's not the argument. The argument is that religion does cause many conflicts. Not necessarily all.

It does to the islamic community, although of course to us they're using a totally alien code of ethics.

Yeah, you're damn right the ethics are alien. They're ethics based on religion.