Half Of Brits Say Religion Does More Harm Than Good, And Atheists Can Be Just As Moral

Britain is changing, becoming more multicultural and secular. Is religion changing too? Throughout November, The Huffington Post UK is running its Beyond Belief series, profiling remarkable Britons who've taken on their faith to create a force for change.

More than half of Britons believe that religion does more harm than good, with less than a quarter believing faith is a force for good, the Huffington Post UK can reveal today.

Even 20% of British people who described themselves as being 'very religious' said religion was harmful to society, and a quarter of said atheists were more likely to be moral individuals than religious people.

The exclusive poll for the HuffPost UK reveals that just 8% of Britons describe themselves as very religious, with more than 60% saying they were not religious at all.

The eye-opening survey, that will reopen debate over the role and worth of religion to British society, found of the 'non-religious' people polled, more than 60% said they thought religion caused more problems than it solved.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/11/03/religion-beyond-belief_n_6094442.html?1415106098&utm_hp_ref=uk

I believe faith does more harm. It makes sense, and more people are more aware now of the damage done by devout, fundamentalist beliefs. The only arguments faith does more good are the charity and peace of mind attributed to belief in something. That argument is obviously weak as it would be silly for religious people to say they wouldn't do and be good without their beliefs. And for peace of mind- far more is offered by no-strings attached ''spirituality", or a 'personal' god without the need for the constraints of religion.

People hear religion now they think child abuse, suicide bombers, insane rules against contraception, sexism, homophobia and the rest. To an extent that may be unfair at times- but the good isn't nearly as clear to find.

Agreed Eilzel, you only have to look at the history of the Catholic Church to see one of the most evil organisations throughout most of its history, where thankfully it has no power anymore.
I think more and more that people turn way from religion the better chance societies have of progression

Brasidas wrote:Agreed Eilzel, you only have to look at the history of the Catholic Church to see one of the most evil organisations throughout most of its history, where thankfully it has no power anymore.
I think more and more that people turn way from religion the better chance societies have of progression

I'd even go so far as to say that the Catholic Church during the 14th, 15th centuries was more terrifying a prospect for anybody outside the church than ISIS is for anybody outside ISIS. Take this statement:

... Invade, search out, capture, vanquish, and subdue all Westerners and infidels whatsoever, and other enemies of Allah everywhere, take their lands, and everything whatsoever held and possessed by them, and reduce them to perpetual slavery ...

Sounds like a fairly horrific quote from an ISIS leader, right?

Nope, it's a paraphrase of a papal bull issued by Pope Nicholas V in 1455. Here's the original text I paraphrased, for comparison's sake:

... Invade, search out, capture, vanquish, and subdue all Saracens and pagans whatsoever, and other enemies of Christ wheresoever placed, and the kingdoms, dukedoms, principalities, dominions, possessions, and all movable and immovable goods whatsoever held and possessed by them and to reduce their persons to perpetual slavery ...

The difference is, the pope was giving his blessing to the king of Portugal