Religion is one of the most influential parts of our society today: it impacts our morals, our beliefs, our actions, and who we associate with or refuse to associate with. It has changed how nations rise and fall, how science is developed, and religious institutions have also been responsible for some of the most impactful changes in history. However, there are also many people who oppose religion. While those arguing religion has had a net positive talk about morality such as compassion, empathy, giving people strength, and teaching people to be kind. They also note religion helps people accept the unknown and the failures of the world. Meanwhile, those against religion bring up its long oppression of certain groups, its existence as a root of conflict, accept injustice, and has too great an influence on government. They also say religion can lead to people failing to ask critical questions, too rigid, and can prevent progress of humanity.
Therefore, I wanted to ask you the question: is religion good, bad, or neither for human society? I believe that religion itself is mostly neutral since it has many positive and negative aspects, but that religious institutions have the potential to be negative just like any other hierarchy. But that is just my opinion, and you are free to discuss below.
