Tainted Religion: The Justification for Evil

If it weren't for some of religion's most twisted influences, mankind would be better off.

Let's face it, religion hasn't had the world's best track record. I'm not saying that we should even get rid of religion, in fact, I think that religion does great services. But there are times when religion goes horribly wrong.

Take, for example, the Crusades. Using religion, the Pope and many European and Middle Eastern leaders justified killing each other to death, creating a hostile environment and tension that lasts to this day.

Or look towards Nazi Germany. Someone following a particular religion was enough to justify their deaths. In fact, not only was following that religion harmful, but this opened up the way for a vast multitude of people's death to be justified. Everyone from Slavic peoples, to different political parties, to people of different sexualities were murdered.

Even worse is when religion is used to justify actions that promote one religion over another. When communities in places like Dover, Pennsylvania decides that teaching intelligent design, they are willingly putting forth an idea that advocates the belief of a higher being, or a god. Not only are they insulting scientists with an unproven and untested theory, they are specifically promoting monotheistic religions like Christianity over others such as Buddhism. At this point they are no longer being tolerant of other viewpoints from other religions, defeating their purpose.

Religions can be good, and yet at the same time religious causes have been the main reasons for most of the world's conflicts. From Al Qaida to the Middle East to Bosnia to terrorism to just general discontent, the abuse of religious ideals has created the failing world as we know it. We must put all religions under heavier scrutiny, and only then will they be able to truly serve their purpose without being twisted for evil causes.