Original poster, you have two distinctly different questions.
In the thread title: Can religion be positive?
In the post: Is religion always a bad thing?
My answer to both questions is yes.
Religion can be a positive influence in one's life, but that does not mean religion is a good thing, especially considering that relying upon religion for anything is preferring fantasy over reality. As a rational being, I cannot and will not take the comfort of a false positive, religion, over reality. A positive experience is quite attainable without resorting to delusion.
In the thread title: Can religion be positive?
In the post: Is religion always a bad thing?
My answer to both questions is yes.
Religion can be a positive influence in one's life, but that does not mean religion is a good thing, especially considering that relying upon religion for anything is preferring fantasy over reality. As a rational being, I cannot and will not take the comfort of a false positive, religion, over reality. A positive experience is quite attainable without resorting to delusion.
"Never trust a fox. Looks like a dog, behaves like a cat."
~ Erin Hunter
~ Erin Hunter