Shame on those of you who judge other religions.

I too am rightly disgusted with some of the atrocities and abuses that have taken place in the name of Religion. And, the separation of the realms of religion and secular society is a noble idea that I agree with. However, to dismiss religion on the basis of the errors of its past (and present), is a line reasoning that can also be applied (100 times over) to secular government and atheistic regimes.

"Religion plays a central, integrating role in social and cultural life in most developing countries… there are many more religious leaders than health workers. They are in closer and regular contact with all age groups in society and their voice is highly respected. In traditional communities, religious leaders are often more influential than local government officials or secular community leaders." (Religious Leaders as Health Communicators. New York, NY: UNICEF, 1995)

Influential secular charities like UNICEF admit that they cannot do their work without the present help of those who seek peace in the name of Religion. Social workers in the United States are rallying for funding help from faith-based projects, otherwise, they'd be out of work. You too admit the great acts of kindness that Religion brings to the world! Then why in the same breath do you say that Religion refuses to participate in the urgency present human causes? You quote MLK, his cause was a religious one, man!

Religion is on the front lines, my friend. Take a walk downtown and see how many religious homeless shelters there are versus secular homeless shelters. What religion are you talking about that puts off the human cause? Are you serious? You ominously prophesize that religion will fade, I agree with you. Sadly, Religion is fading. My question to you is, who then will take our place? Secular humanists? Atheists? Do you seriously believe that secularists and atheists will get off their lazy behinds and get their hands dirty, will show up to the front lines of poverty? Where are they? Are they waiting for Religion to fade away? If so, they will be waiting for a long time.

I do know the great works and acts of kindness that religion has brought to this world, with me growing up in the Roman Catholic church, being an alter boy for 8 years, and attending private catholic schools for all my studies, which of course taught Theology extensively. And with that, the great destruction of human beings and nations. We cannot deny the past and present atrocities that religion has brought about. I just can't believe that in these days people would rather dream a fantasy about another realm to help themselves though life instead of living in the fierce urgency of now(MLKjr.). Today is what matters and tomorrow is not promised, still people would rather be happy in death than to deal with the issues at hand. Always putting it off like someone or something, what ever it may be, will help out the cause instead of human beings. What is going on now has been going on for 1000's of years, and for what? A paper that some guys wrote, independently, stating that their people are promised some land.(prime trading location at the time). Religion to claim a land, people and power. Made for the masses.

My friend, religions come and go, check your history please, if you cannot deny this, which I hope you do not, then you understand that given time your religion will also fade into the history books and another will be written, by man, for you to follow and human beings will be here still believing in someone to save them instead of themselves.

If religion is studied in the past tense, you would be ignoring the reality of the present tense. 84% of the world claims to belong to some religion. There are two billion Christians in the world, 1.5 billion Muslims, and over 14 million Jews. You're statement that religious people just keep killing eachother because others do not share their religious views is a generalization and ignorant. People who are religious kill eachother for political reasons and economic reasons, not religious ones. Violent religious extremism is a form of evil that aims at political and economic power. Religion is just their instrument, and they twist religion for their benefit. If you can't see this, maybe you need to take a few courses in the Religious Studies Department yourself.

There are those who use and twist capitalism to do violence and take advantage of others, are we going to abolish capitalism? There are those who use and twist laws to do violence and take advantage of others, are we going to abolish all laws too? Are we simply going to study capitalism and law and every social construct solely in the past tense, ignoring their present importance, simply because there are people who use those social systems to do evil? Is this what you are suggesting? It seems like it.