Role of Religion

<p dir="ltr">People say, and rightly so, that more people have been killed than delivered/saved in the name of religion. In that scenario, is religion really worth it? </p>
<p dir="ltr">It is a matter to ponder over. Indeed, religious fanaticism have caused the loss of life. Even at it's pacifist best, didactic behavior leads to a feeling of self-righteousness and condescending behavior about all else. But I would like to stress about the fact that this happens only when one considers his religion the best, and others, less. If there were due respect for the other, like in every other problem like gender and race, we wouldn't really be having this discussion.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It would sound sexist if not put across right: but men were meant to toil in the fields under the sun, while the woman takes care of their home and offsprings. Why this progressively led to women be looked down as lesser relevant by the man, led to the downfall of the family structure. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Why do people of one race consider themselves superior or inferior to another? Why on earth when we all belong to the same human&nbsp; species!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Religion is nothing but a means to get closer to our creator. A school of guiding principles so we humans lead life our creator meant us to. Our conscience does know right from wrong, but like society needs a leader to look up on, and fear of law to instill safety, so too did religion require a God and religious book. Polytheist and the oldest religion only got it right when multiple god-head symbols are available, the person feels devotion attuned to a god-head characteristics he/she personally identifies with as per his nature. As long as you do not look down on others, it doesn't matter!

The greatest role religion plays thus, is in upbringing. It's the best channel to instill in children time-tested values and belief in good. It is no surprise thus at other core, every religion has the exact same teachings.

Indeed, in shaping our character and value system, across centuries and generations, religion has played a marvelous role within the confines of the home and place of worship. The problems of religion only happened when selfish interests took it beyond these boundaries.