How Useful Is Religion?

We all (should) know that most people who claim to believe in God don't at all. After all, society, as we know it would cease to function properly if most of the population were deluded zombies.

Of course, there will be a large section of society who claim to be religious out of apathy, or "just in case He's up there", or to keep the peace within the family or simply through culture. Who wouldn't enjoy a tantalizing feast of yummy Halal delights after Ramadan or a platter of Kosher delicacies or a meal of Christian, er, um food?

But we are talking here about those who use religion for their own self-serving ends. "What? You don't say that goes on" I hear you all cry in your relentless search for the truth.

For example, vilification of minority groups such as homosexuals.
"Oh Kerrist,Swolliw is on his gay rights crusade again". Well, not really. I'm illustrating a prime example of using religion as a shield to hide behind. Hatred towards gays is quite aptly labeled as homophobia since those who adopt such a view are actually fearful of gays.
And why be fearful of gays? Out of ignorance of course. You would hardly hear of someone developing such a fear because a of maniacal gay wielding a chainsaw chasing him or her down the street in early childhood, would you?

So then, how does one who knowingly harbors such anti-social hatred save face and (try to) look half decent? Simply get dunked in a bath filled with water at one's local pointy-roof congregation center, that's how.

"I'm not homophobic BUT my Church says that it is wrong to walk around quickly with limp wrists. And look, it says so, right here in the Bible."

And yes, it certainly does say so in the Bible. The trouble is that the only justification to "not lie with a man as one would a woman" is that, It is an "abomination"
Which is virtually saying, "homosexuality is disgusting because it is disgusting". Nowhere in the Bible is there mention of any viable reason as to why.

Which brings us back to why people use religion to justify their hatred or even to attempt at showing others that their hatred is somehow okay or acceptable. After all, there are no valid reasons but oh dear Lordy, there are tons of ridiculous excuses floating around.

Psychologists who profile extreme behavior refer to a condition called Higher Power belief. Also called Divine Power belief, it refers to a belief in a higher being or principle that can be used to justify extreme acts or thoughts. Another trait in common with such people is "vile world thinking". In other words, the subject has an inbuilt anti-social, negative view of others who are different from them. Which is why we usually see homophobia, racism, sexism, and any number of hatreds go hand-in-hand in the one person. "I'm not racist BUT we should be giving jobs to us before them immigrants get work here." Of course, Such a policy would ensure that no immigrant could ever work since there is always a level of unemployment.

Yes, there are atheist bigots who will adopt some Utopian culture to foster their hatreds but where do the majority of hateful bigots go in order to harbor and further develop their fears and ignorance?

Why, It's the good ole time religion of course.