Silas, I like your examples but they show that religion is often harmful.

I have no desire for a battle of religion vs science. Clearly religion provides some benefit to the human race or it wouldn't have survived as such a universal trait. My objection is to belief without evidence. If not evidence, then what do you base that belief on?

I deal day to day with misconceptions and myths that are harmful to people in many ways. The president of South Africa has denied HIV drugs to women that would prevent HIV transmission to their newborns because he states he does not believe HIV causes AIDS.

Look at the false claims on almost every TV drug comercial. As a country, we waste as much money on worthless remedies as we need to provide real health care to every person on the continent.

Jerry Fallwell said in a TV interview that he's not worried about global warming and pollution because he doesn't believe 'man' could ruin the Earth 'god' created.

I believe very strongly that we need to teach our children how to distinguish a false claim from one supported by evidence. It is not facts they need to learn, it's how to recognize and interpret evidence.

Unfortunately, religion is a source of myths and misconceptions for many people. And, while it may be comforting to some to have their beliefs, religion has been the basis for many wars, much predjudice, and much hate.

I do not believe the Bible is the word of any god. I do think it has caused more harm than good. But, I am not on an anti-religion campaign. I am on a pro-evidenced based interpretation of the world campaign. It is not evil nor devoid of human compassion to look for empirical evidence. Altruism, love, caring and such concepts are very empirical.