You silly old freethinkers. I admire your old fashioned faith that eliminating religion will automatically produce a society of high minded secularists who think just like you.

But where'd you get that crazy idea.

People find it pretty easy to be bad whether they're religious or n

William Beckett, San Antonio,

How about ending the ethnically motivated disinformation and ideological and political war by freeing scientific information, that will do it for religion, but hang on we are trying to be good citizens?

joe, London,

Religion is one of many black marks on humanity, continuing to promote segregation, persecution and intolerance.

I'm glad it's finally being acknowledged as a social evil.

James, York, UK

You cant judge anything by its perverted use.Atomic energy can be used to blow up a city.It can also generate electric power for our daily use.

Any religious system should be first evaluated on its own merits as expressed in its main documents and then by the lives of its followers.If the religious system doesnt believe in love, grace and mercy then its followers would be in error if they demonstrate love,grace and mercy.

However if the religion does preach love to your fellow human beings and the followers do not demonstrate it they are in error but the person who looks at them and wants to make a quick and uninformed evaluation without considering what the basics of the religion are is also in an error.

I hope we do not take shortcuts in deciding such important matters.Do you know that all religions are superficially the same but fundamentally so different?Wouldnt it be nice to get to know where you stand?

Atul Aswani, Mumbai, India

I think a lack of education and historical knowledge is the greater social evil. Plenty of people know about the Inquisition but not many know about Joseph Rowntree. It's hardly surprising that religion gets a bad rap when only its failings are discussed.

tim, Auckland, New Zealand

Religion is not the 'new' social evil, for it has always been so. Almost every war since time immemorial has been based on religion. There is nothing wrong with belief, for or against, and belief is a purely personal thing. It is the banding together of 'like minded souls' i.e. the churches, synagogues, mosques or whatever and the people therein who claim theirs is the only road,where the damage is done. Sadly, I think there is no logical answer to this - until Armageddon?

Michael, Peacehaven, England, Britain, UK.

Well, I suppose, in our increasingly narcissistic consumer society anything which tells you you can't just do what you want will be viewed as an "evil".

Anyone who actually bothered to think about these things for a moment might come to different conclusions.

When people realise, then tire of the vacuousness of their philosophies, and the strangely prickly self righteousness of Secular Humanism, they'll give religion a second view. Swings and roundabouts.

John M, London,

Did this need to be done?. Do we need this to prove that religion is doing what its doing?.

Its a sorry state if a poll had to bring out the fact that the British along with many others are fed up with religion, there is too little good and too much bad caused by religion for it to continue to have an effect on laws, let alone anything else. There should be a law that religion can't be inflicted on anyone below 16, when children have the ability to make their own educated decisions.

When there isn't enough food to feed, when high land and is being fought over and riots are everywhere and everyone is doing everything they can to survive, then will anyone realise that faith cannot help?.

Steve, Wakefield, West Yorkshire

I was in church today - don't normally go but the vicar's sermons are brief lectures. Anyhow, it occurred to me in a boring moment that in the Lord's Prayer there is only one bit that asks for anything from us "as we forgive them that trespass against us". Contrast that with the majority of Christians, and there's your problem. People.

mount, dorset, gb

Great news - it has to happen, the Bible said it would happen, and it's yet another milestone on the road to Christ's return.

Forget all the nonsense about 'building communities' - the only thing that is important in this life is to be saved from the terror of Hell. All else is valueless. The chatterers and pundits will be of no assistance to us when standing before God.

There is no compromise with Satan, this is his time and place and his works can be seen at every hand - from the legalisation of homosexuality to the abortion slaughter that heaps millions of infants into a ghastly sacrifice.

We cannot stop it - it has to happen. We can, however, rejoice in the knowledge that the end is certainly not far away now. Mr Sanderson is quite right - Britain *has* had it with religion (that's his code for the 'Christianity' that he despises so much) and the results are to be seen everyehere.

The end now really *is* nigh - and that (for those who love Christ) is joyful.

Christian, Hull, UK

Of all the countries in the World, where would you most like to live? Most people (the world over, I believe) would name a country where protestant Christianity has been the "religion" with the most influence for the last 2-400 years. "Catholic countries" would probably come second. I doubt that Saudi Arabia has an immigration problem, or Thailand. Do you humanists have any great shining examples, any models of completely secular societies that you will follow? All too easily we forget what some of our forefathers fought for in this land and where their inspiration came from.

Tim, Worcester, UK

Reason wins, irrationality fails.
Religion is dangerous because no one should ever concede that it is okay to be certain about something without sufficient evidence. False beliefs, supernatural beliefs, and tribalism are all incredibly dangerous, and happen to be components central to the function of a fit religion.
As time goes on, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction causes them to be available on the black market-- as all contraband eventually is- we need to take a look at what people are teaching their children and believing about the universe. The irrational belief that human beings somehow survive death through magic is infectious and dangerous. This is a sign that people are beginning to realize this, and it reassures my faith in humanity and reason.

Jake, orlando , florida

For religious leaders and politicians who see faith as a votewinner the game is up.Society has moved on and more people are thinking for themselves,and wish their children to be educated in school and not indoctrinated in a faith or supernatural mumbo jumbo.

Iain Rae, Tunbridge Wells, U.K.

The headline is incorrect.
As a social evil, religion is as old as the hills.

alan, germany,

As Prof Dawkins likes to point out, even the most devout of believers is an atheist when it comes to other religion's gods.

Funnily enough, God botherers don't seem to have any problem at all with atheism in that context. What exactly is the difference? Why are they so sure they are right in that context? Surely all those Hindus etc can't be wrong after all this time? They have holy books and relics to prove they are right after all.

When one of the major religions openly addresses the issue of why they are "right" and all the rest are "wrong", without resorting to the usual "it says so in my book" or "God told me" arguments, they might be worth having a dialogue with.

Show me one scrap of evidence (REAL evidence, not 'faith') for God, and I'll sign up right now. But no religion - and you can pick any of the thousands that exist or have existed and died out - can do that. I guarantee it.

Eric Ambleside, Yorkshire,

Replying to: "Of course I blame religion for human behaviour" Should we not be blaming arrogance and the accompanying ignorance and intolerance; greed; a dismissal of the Ten Commandments - as the REAL ROOT CAUSES of wars, and all manner of ills in the world?

Amy

Amy Greenfield, Sydney, Australia

I find it interesting that humanism is defined in one of the comments as the worship of man. A quick look at Wikipedia defines it as "a broad category of ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to determine right and wrong by appeal to universal human qualities, particularly rationality." It goes on to say that "humanists endorse universal morality based on the commonality of the human condition..."
Not all humanists are agnostic or athiest, but as one who is an athiest, what the above definition says to me is that it's our world, we're the ones screwing it up, and we're the only ones who can fix it. Despite millennia of prayers wafted heavenward to a variety of deities, no sky fairy has come down and solved the problems. If you need help, comfort, or a meal, look around you to your fellow humans, because it's really not coming from anywhere else. The sooner we figure this out, the better for all humanity.

Patricia Acks, Denver, Colorado, USA

It's only people returning to the foundations of society, their forbears' spiritual traditions, the inspiratory great religions of the world, & then following those religions' various progressive paths upwards towards the highermost beliefs & teaching, that can genuinely unite the people of the planet, whereas brute force & corruption, unity through cruel dictatorship, derogation of the dignity of each individual person, and/or the "tyranny of the majority", enforced subservience to cruel supremist ideology, all this can only, at most, paper over the cracks in the global psyche, & philosphies of atheistic determinism could lead to some nasty, scary eugenics theory/social policy. And a universe without God, without any purpose, would never be something to celebrate. Personal relationships, family relationships without ultimate, joyful fulfillment but only the abyss of final annihilation,& the idea that there is only matter, & that we too, are merely conglomerations of matter,is awful.

Joan Moira Peters , Whangarei (UK Citizen , temp. o/seas)

Jane - Your assertion is ridiculous and reactionary. First of all this survey was about peoples opinions and not facts (although I do not doubt that religion has led to very real suffering and harm to society). Your comment regarding atheist /agnostics is utterly illogical and evidently not thought out:

"Do you seriously think an aethiest (sic) or agnositc (sic) has never committed a murder, a rape, a theft, a few harsh words?"

You seem to be making excuses for murder/rape/theft being enacted in the name of religion; by this logic you can do anything with fewer consequences because, hey, someone else has done it also.

Liebens - I think you have spent far too much time with people like yourself and know little of society outside of a small intellectually-closed circle. You need to open yourself up to some new ideas and meet some real people so you can gain perspective on your close-minded world view.

Oli W, Bristol,

I'm quite surprised that this page isn't swamped by comments from evangelists over the pond.

Jeff, Manchester,

Liberals have created their own Religion-Global Warming. As Marxism had failed they needed a new one. The Rowntree Foundation was what Richard J Neuhaus had in mind when he said " the profound bigotry, antiintellectualism, intolerance and illiberalism of liberals "

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

Its kid of ironic that for a people who don't believe if in a definate right and wrong or good and evil atheists are sure good at accusing people of a different viewpoint of being 'evil'. If there is no God, no greater purpose then its ludicrous to accuse other beliefs of being evil In that sense how can we say a war against Hitler was 'good' or that his regime was 'evil'. The reality for the atheist is that he cant make self righteous judgements without a self defeating argument.

Andrew, York, United Kingdom

The War of WORDS between LYING presidents and LYING priests is CONSUMING the EARTH to build KILLING MACHINES and Murdering the Life on earth that was ALL created by PURE TRUTH.

There is no greater evil than these false gods that call themselves, ''nations'' and ''religions''.

Thomas T. Panto - A VIETNAM VETERAN, Gaffney, SC.USA

Well finally. From what I see around me, most of the so-called 'believers' are simply hiding behind their religion and are using it to put down other people. For how long are we going to put up with it? Having a faith does not necessarily make you better, and you definitely have no right to consider yourself so simply because you believe.

O., Moscow,

Christianity has been the most powerful force for learning, for good, and for humanism the world has ever seen.

Atheism has never produced one Mother Theresa -- Christianity produces thousands of them, most of whom are never known.

Bill, San Diego, CA

Absolutely right - after all, what is religion? No more than a set of primitive superstitions to which history has given a veneer of respectability.

David, London, UK

It never ceases to amaze me that fundamentalist athiests who are often anti-religious due to a belief that religion is necessarily opressive through an insistence of faith, seek to continually demean those who disagree with athiesm. They undermine their own foundations.

Siobhan, st neots,

Whoever expresses opinions like that ought to be investigated by the police for intentionally inciting religious hatred.

Michael Petek, Brighton, UK

Religion is like a cult but which is sanctioned by the society at large. How for instance, the tenet of Islam, that 72 virgins greet you if you are a martyr in a jihad is disgusting and absurd. How can any religion believe this. It is disgraceful and brings the entire religion down.

Muhamsar Laden, Tokyo, Japan

It is an extraordinary tribute to human gulibility and wishfull thinking that so many people are convinced that there is a invisible being out there who concerns themselves with the details of our lives.

Arnold Ward, Weybridge, Surrey, UK

When societies put down the value of faith in God, it's a sign that they will suffer more and more from the things we most want to abolish. More illusions and delusions will take over the psyche. Intolerance and violence will grow. It's all just the reverse of what the carefree enlightenment seems to say. Evils cannot be cured in Godless societies because sufficient humility cannot be discovered without worship of the Almighty One. We have to try to distinguish the real from pseudo religion being used for special purposes.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

I believe there are three main pillars of religion. Ignorance, intellectual dishonesty and fear of the unknown. The Rowntree report seems to be concerned particularly with the second of these. Religion claims to deal with absolute truths. For a believer, these truths are incontrovertable. Science has been very successful in uncovering factual contradictions in beliefs both within and between various religions. Religions have countered by claiming that they operate outside the bounds of logic and any form of human knowledge. This gives the true believer the right to either discount known facts, or to deny them altogether. Religious "truth" supersedes any knowledge we now have, or are likely to get in the future. This is a very dangerous concept, because it allows the believer free reign to proceed as he wishes. Hence we have a multitude of different religions which claim to be the sole guardians of the truth. Can they all be right? Or is confusion the object of the exercise?

Bob Gibson, New York, USA

Its not often I read a newspaper article and am heartened at definite evidence of intelligent life out there but this is extremely good news.

Dominic Shields, Cardiff,

I challenge anyone to read the teachings of the Catholic Church, reflect on them and see the truth which they espouse. Social justice, love of neighbour, the place of man in creation, the truth of natural law are all included. The real evils are moral relativisim, materialism, selfishness, violence and many others.

The truth revealed to us by Christ will always stand the test of time, no matter what the era or age. True christian belief is the most beautiful of gifts. Think of the schools, the hospitals, the orphanges, the refuges that have been founded by christians, in witness to their faith.

Tom , Corsham, UK

Is it worth pointing out that the specifics of what you believe are what matter? It is easy to launch broadsides against labels like "religion" but it's like hating "the west" as if all the west stands for only one thing. Some religions have taught hatred, even murder, such as murder of female widows. Others have been used by politicians as excuses for crimes (such as with Richard I's "Crusades", which Archbishop Anselm opposed). Some secular humanist doctrines have taught terrible things too - that the races are in competition or that it is ok to kill those with religious belief. But religions and other non-religious ideologies have taught noble and admirable "truths" too (equality, humility, kindness to the poor and the suffering etc.)
It's surely more useful (and closer to the truth) to avoid reductionism and consider the teachings of the religions, philosophies and social ideologies themselves rather than simply bundling them all together.

Alexander Monro, London,

The US is the most religious country in the West, and yet has the highest rates of teen pregnancy, abortion, drugs, and murders. Sweden, non theist country, has some of the lowest. When prisons in the US are surveyed, we find the vast majority of the inmates are Christian or Muslim. Atheists make up less than 1%.

I love it when the religious say "I'm not descended from a monkey". There is such a horrible misunderstanding of science in that statement, and yet is it constantly touted by those who are uneducated.

A religious-free person has the same morality as anyone else, as it it hardwired - do no harm to others. We developed a society based on reciprocal altruism, which makes us want to be kind to others, treat them as we want to be treated. I do those things because they are the right thing to do, not because I am afraid of everlasting brimstone.

All that religion adds to our innate altruism is 'oh, yes, and God really cares about what you do when you are naked.'

N L Baker, Houston, US

This certainly poses serious constitutional problems for the UK as we steadily approach the next coronation. HRH The Prince of Wales will be crowned not only King, but also Supreme Governor of the Church of England. However, the internet is rapidly creating a transatlantic, English-speaking community which largely supports the secular constitutional values of the USA.
What are we going to do? We do not have a written constitution, and for centuries we have relied on common sense and tradition to guide us in such matters. But in the age of the internet, that common sense is rapidly being integrated into the values of the American Constitution. How long will we continue to have a Christian monarchy, when our closest ally, a secular republic, is beginning to dominate political public opinion in the UK by means of the internet?

Edmund Burke, Kingston upon Thames, England

We all need something to believe in especially when faced with our own mortality, to give meaning to our lives or just to justify our actions. Some choose religion and others choose godless ideology.
I know people who would happily say that they are environmentalist. They believe that global warming caused by manmade greenhouse gases and that the Reports of the IPCC are a representation of absolute truth. They will say they believe that this is true, not because they were spoon fed these ideas, but because they made a careful decision based on independent observations.
The same logic would be used by a religionist and an ideologue.

Stan Coveney, London,

I can say that I used to have a high opinion of the United Kingdom but now by the day it is less and less. I have read too much about all the underage young people there that have become habitual drunkards and sexually immoral. That in itself reflects the abandonment of spiritual values that seems to be so prevalent in English society now. British people there are free to think in negative terms about religion but I sure don't think it means their thinking is any more progressive or that it is beneficial to their society. On the contrary, in the long term I think it will be harmful to their moral fibre.

Palmer Clemmons, Hot Springs, Arkansas USA

Many people have their own, personal spirituality that's of value to them and harms nobody else. This is very different from the real problem - fundamentalism.

People who believe that their religion is the only 'true' one and that everyone else is evil, wrong or deluded for having other beliefs, will, if allowed, act accordingly - by banning and silencing other beliefs, or by taking it on themselves to punish the unfaithful on God's behalf. (From personal experience, those folk with a supposedly non-religious 'relationship with God' are just as capable of this as anyone else.) This is why any religion that allies itself with government is asking for trouble.

Supposed battles between different religions, or between spirituality and science, are a red herring. The real polarity in the world today is between those who want to force their own beliefs on everyone else - and those who are happy to live and let live. I hope the latter are in the majority

Janine, Stockport,

To Sophie - loved your pompous assignation of all the worlds ills to religion! Do you seriously think an aethiest or agnositc has never committed a murder, a rape, a theft, a few harsh words? Come on!!

Jane, london, UK

I love to read what people say about the evils of 'religion'. Many monstrous things have been done in the name of faith but to believe that if it were destroyed then a utopia would arise from the ashes is absurd. They purged religion from the Soviet Union and China and they turned out just peachy didnt they.
I read how many want all religious education from schools purged bacause its 'indoctrination' and they dont want their kids to be taught it - Oh and what if I dont want my kids taught about evolution? We set up our faith schools and we get swamped by rich families because the public service sector is rubbish.
If we replace religious morals what do you replace them with? Whatever you decide? What you feel is good? Hitler felt exterminating the Jews was a good thing - doesnt make it so.
I fear for the day when Christians are finally trampled and replaced by a self-righteous mob who will be told what to think by an arrogant, dictatoral government. But then we already have that

Andrew, York, United Kingdom

From the perspective of humanism (the worship of man above any transcendental authority), absolute principle as described by biblical scripture will always appear "evil", "intolerant", "despotic", "arbitrary" or "illogical". This is much like a spoilt teenager hating and accusing his parents of being "unfair," when in truth they usually have their children's best interests in mind.

Those who follow the sheep mentality and hubris of true modern religion (ie. consumerism, pride, sexual liberalism, humanist "equality") will continue to claim this until they are blue in the face, without truly being able to grasp the nature of absolutistic thought, an intellect-dependent process. In truth it is the faint residue of absolute principle from these "illogical" beliefs upholding what shallow remnant they have of their lives and mental health. When this too is gone, perhaps they'll be driven to see the truth for what it is.

Dr K Liebens, London, United Kingdom

"the theory of evolution as suggested by Darwin is actually supported by every single piece of biological evidence ever found."

I guess statements like this only go to show how gullible most of us are as part of our nature.

People still fail to acknowledge that the findings of the survey in question has been misrepresented by the article above. As someone very perceptive noted below, religion was not ranked anywhere near the most important cause for societal evil (the word "dominant" in the article is taken out of context). The heading "religion" also included significant counterarguments blaming the "loss of religious values" for society's problems.

John Launy, Northampton, UK/England

To David, Bornemouth:

"I would rather see children taught that they have been created equal by God than that they are evolved monkeys".

Aaah, the standard Christian 'I'm not a monkey' parroting. Quite right - we are apes, not monkeys. Go read a book (no, not that one) before you start criticising a well understood and evidenced theory that your religion tells you can't possibly be true because it sounds all icky.

"Black races have long been denigrated by followers of Darwin's religion. All religions are clearly not equal!"

I beg your pardon? It was "pious" white landowners that held slaves. And - "Darwins' religion"? I'm afraid that however much you wish it to be just another unfounded set of beliefs like yours (and hence dismissed as easily), the theory of evolution as suggested by Darwin is actually supported by every single piece of biological evidence ever found.

Try praying really hard - maybe it'll just go away. It will in your mind, at least...

James Ogilvie, Brighton, UK

The Church has withstood every possible attack since its inception. It is stronger and larger than ever, undaunted, unthreatened. It will be here, thriving, longer than any of us or any of the other states/institutions we belong to, longer than any of the arguments we use to attack it. Think reasonably and historically about it. We aren't that much smarter than any other generation that thought it was on to something new.

Jim, Seattle, WA

Re: D Willerton

My apologies, I should have been clearer. My point is not that professed atheism leads necessarily to genocide. My point is that the 20th Century gives us numerous horrific examples of genocide being committed in the name of God-less worldviews. That being the case, why is "religion" being singled out as the source of all evil? It just doesn't fit the historical evidence, at least not in this past century.

Barry, London,

If only the US were so enlightened.

Michael, LaGrange, IL

Religion creates an "us" and a "them".

An artificial divide. "We" are "right" and "they" are "wrong".

It would be different if these were differences in observing facts, and there were attempts to agree.

But modern religion is about preserving the differences.

Those religions that were more tolerant, the Greek and Roman religions, for example, died out. If one is tolerant and accepting, seeking truth, then one looses one's religion.

Especially modern religions which have a "jealous god" at their head, one who does not tolerate rivals. They indeed do cause a lot of hatred, a lot of wars, a lot of suffering and a lot of death/

Keith S, Winnipeg, canada

Justin, in my part of the world the "spoiled, consumerist, every-person-for-themselves types that typefy our society" are usually religious people dealing with strangers outside of church.

What could be more materialistic than the Christian churches with their grand cathedrals built by poor people living in wattle and daub cottages.

Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada

Religion: "Anything to which one is totally devoted and which rules one's life". So you don't worship God and find something else to worship - and the worst is when you start worshipping yourself or sport or technology or... - the list is endless.
Yes, religion can be a dangerous thing. Loving and serving a faithful, caring Heavenly Father and extending that to "Love your neighbour as yourself" - now that's a completely different matter.

Martin, Eastbourne, UK

"Tom Butler, the Bishop of Southwark, rejected the indictment of faith." There's the problem.

C Newman, London,

Religion, in all its forms and variations, has fundamentally only ever been one thing: A method or tool by which to gain control over people by exploiting ignorance and fear of the unknown. This has all it’s ever been.

Toby Johnson, Hastings, England

Materialism is the "new" social evil - enjoy your utter disregard for human life.

Oliver, Hawarden, Flintshire

"Many of you think that I have come to establish peace upon the earth. I will not bring peace but dissension, fire, sword, and war. Families will be divided because of me, friends shall cease from one another, nations shall join in battle. Yea, those who would follow me must be willing to forsake all and to stand alone if they would inherit the kingdom of my Father"

Nice peaceful message from Christ.

John, Paris,

Religion is fundamentally a vehicle for deception. From prophets to priests, from Blair to Bush, every one uses religion to further his or her points in the name of God. Bush said that he had the message from God to invade Iraq - take that.

A Rahman, Manchester, U K

Christianity was from the beginning, essentially and fundamentally, life's nausea and disgust with life, merely concealed behind, masked by, dressed up as, faith in "another" or "better" life.

- quote from The Birth of Tragedy, by Friedrich Nietzsche

Rich, Birmingham, UK

This reminds of the saying which I think goes something like:
Good men do good things, evil men do evil things, but for good men to do evil things it takes religion.

Stewart Harrison, Harrogate,

Chris, Epsom, posted: In all the churches, mosques and temples the message taught is 'love your neighbour'. How can that be evil?

Not in the canonical texts of Islam. There are exceptions to all rules.

DaveP, Beverley, UK

It is not belief or non belief in God that is a problem since it cannot be proved either way. The problem lies in the Doctrines of organised religions.There is no proof of the apostolic succession and provably the Catholic Church rewrote and censored parts of the Bible to suit their version of Christianity. The evidence that Genesis derives from ancient Sumerian tales about multiple Gods is overwhelming. The majority of the Hadiths provably have no historical provenance and the doctrines and practises of some religions are against UK and EU law. In my view the majority of people who believe in a Supreme Being support a secular society since you cannot run a nation on the basis of multiple versions of the unproven. Belief is not fact and Doctrine is not morality. What is a religion? In my view true belief is essential and cannot exist if there is any element of coercion in recruitment or retention of members. What the world needs is not more doctrine but more goodness for its own sake.

Keith, Rayleigh, England

One wonders if the folks who claim that "guns don't kill, people do" have the same attitude in the mirror version of "religions aren't intolerant, people are"? In the end, it does not matter what or who one blames for their internal attitude because in the end it is theirs, no one else's; it exists between their ears and in their heart; and for that they must take personal responsibility.
For those victims of eastern religious intolerance this point offers no solace. In centuries before, those victims of western religious intolerance found no peace in this view, either. And the adherents to all fanatical beliefs throughout time decry their personal responsibility by deflecting it to their "God", as if any God worth worshipping would drive such divisiveness into the souls of His followers.
Nay, it is not my God, nor yours that drives this fanaticism, but the people who claim to speak for Him. Eventually, as befalls false prophets, the vacuity of their souls will be apparent to all.

Dr. Duncan Druhl, Chalfont St Peter,

So at last the public may be recognising the irrationality, prejudices and associated dangers of religion... but one wonders about the extent to which this new-found and very welcome scepticism was precipitated by the acts and utternaces of muslim extremists: so lets not forget that "mainstream" religion (christianity included) is equally dangerous, often in more subtle and less overt ways. A recent study suggested that religious teaching of children (indoctrination by any other name) is as serious a form of abuse as any other, mental or physical. We hear a lot about parents' rights to educate their children in their religion, but what about the child's right not to be indoctrinated at an impressionable age and to make up their own mind, uncluttered by superstition. Outlawing faith schools and then teaching children only comparative religion within a broad context is not an attack on personal and religious freedom, its a protection of the rights of the child and of future genrations.

Michael, Norwich, England

To say that all religion is evil is a sweeping generalisation that for the majority of believers is not true. In all the churches, mosques and temples the message taught is 'love your neighbour'. How can that be evil?

People calling religion evil most likely have had very little or no experience of it. I have, and I know the benefits it should be bringing to society.

Chris, Epsom,

I am a christian, I believe in God and that the Bible is a representation of absolute truth. I choose to be so not because I was spoonfed these ideals, but because at some point in the past I made a careful decision based on independent observations. To be dismissed as "weak-minded" or "stupid" for holding to heart a set of absolute principles, I find quite amusing, given my own background and contributions to genetics and oncology, as well as the courage to go against the grain of societal pressure. Many commenting on this issue are not philosophically inclined. Most cannot even challenge the precepts they've internalised since early childhood through a liberalist education and media. The reactions below almost mimic coping patterns, and are quite predictable; seven or eight years or so back I would probably have done the same.

Jim, London, UK

Here is a link to the actual survey results: http://www.socialevils.org.uk/documents/social-evils-report.pdf

It doesn't say religion was the dominant social evil, it rates religion as subject 9 out of 12 (in order of importance). And that rating includes decline of religious values as part of the heading "religion".

It's interesting that misrepresentation of facts and statistics by the media was considered a worse social evil than religion. To quote from page 26 of the report, “whipping up indignation may sell newspapers, and reinforce prejudice, but does nothing for social cohesion”. I wonder why THAT didn't warrant a Times article...? Hmmm.

David, Reading, UK

This report gives the church a chance to take a long, hard look at itself and respond accordingly.
Some years ago the C of E itself was capable of producing such dispassionate reports on social issues, which were accepted as such by most neutral experts.
It is understandable that the Bishop wishes to put a positive view in response. However, I have to say that in my community every attempt to tackle racism, sexism, homophobia or other social evils has been blocked by religious organisations, who also seem determined to hold on to their anti-democratic abilities to do so.
I say to the C of E, if you really want to show a good social example, disestablish now. Work for positive change with the rest of us instead of prolonging your privilege behind closed doors with politicians.

Stuart Hartill, Ramsey, Isle of Man,

I couldn't agree more. Religion is the root of all evil. I have never heard of agnostics or atheists destroying the world trade centre, blowing themselves up in tube stations, bombing abortion clinics, waging war against a group of people because they believe in a different “god”, staring Crusades (don’t forget about your violent and bloody past Christians), causing genocides…. etc. I also don’t understand their unhealthy hatred of homosexuals or their obsession with repressing women. The sooner religion becomes something of the past, the quicker we can let go of these superstitions that divide our society and cause dangerous tensions.
And to David, Bournemouth, if you really think that humans began with Adam and Eve, don’t expect anyone to take you seriously.

Sophie, Kensington, England

"this "loving" god of yours, would he be the same wrathful, vengeful, mysoginistic, homophobic, arbitrary, jealous and genocidal god of the Old Testament, or the "sanitised" version of the New?"

Hubris coming from a moral relativist. Tell me, have you even properly discerned the origins of your own moral code to any great depth? You can start by doing some independent reading on the Enlightenment era. (However, dropping the sheep mentality may be an altogether more challenging problem.)

If you resort to enough sophistry and relativistic floundering, you might even concoct a justification and rationale for ritualistic cannibalism. Or how about human sacrifice? You can then proceed to accuse anyone who tries to stop you, as intolerant, bigoted or "evil."

P Brandts, London, UK

it can be a force for good or a source of evil, and as long as followers of any religion use terms like 'my god, the one true god' there will always be devisions created by belief.

what makes them so sure they are right and someone else's god isnt the one true god, or that everyone is worshiping a different aspect of the same supream being and not a seperate god at all?

religion is a wolf hearding the sheep that surrender thier free will to it, a crutch for those too weak willed to take responsability for their own lives and a barrier to prevent comunication between peoples

Andy B, Plymouth, UK

I was dismayed to read that "Faith in supernatural phenomena inspires hatred and prejudice throughout the world". It is true that militant islamists will bomb kill and maim to fulfil the teachings in the Koran but I have seen no Christian or Jewish suicide bombers. Indeed the plain teaching of Jesus in the Bible is to "love your enemies " and to "do good to those who persecute you". If the world were to follow these precepts then there would be no hatred and wars. Clearly issues of sexual morality are part of the teaching in the Bible and these are surely the basis of stable family life. It is foolish to class all religions as "social evils". Intolerance is a misused term. We are all intolerant of child abusers, rapists, burglars etc. As for "irrational education", I would rather see children taught that they have been created equal by God than that they are evolved monkeys. Black races have long been denigrated by followers of Darwin's religion. All religions are clearly not equal!

David, Bournemouth, UK

I totally agree. And Stephen, this "loving" god of yours, would he be the same wrathful, vengeful, mysoginistic, homophobic, arbitrary, jealous and genocidal god of the Old Testament, or the "sanitised" version of the New?

I look forward to the day when this scourge that has blighted Man's existence for thousands of years is finally relegated to the dusty cupboard of history.

I can do no better than quote Thomas Paine: "Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness, with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we called it the word of a demon, than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness, that has served to corrupt and brutalise Mankind; and for my part, I sincerely detest it, as I detest everything that is cruel."

Adrian Ryan, Donegal, Ireland

"Which is it, is man one of God's blunders or is God one of man's?"
Friedrich Nietzsche

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan

I loive in hope that Britain really has had it with religion and that it's absurd teachings are banned from our schools.

William T, Tetbury,

Love the witch hunt. I am not at all religious, however the religious people I meet, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims and Buddists are USUALLY far nicer people than the spoiled, consumerist, every-person-for-themselves types that typefy our society.

It seems that the dollar is the new deity and the religious are prostrating themselves before its altar in a nasty horrible way. Witness the enormous cars, the flash houses and the must have latest fasions.

Don't kid yourselves that religion is gone, worship is just in a new guise.

Justin, Norwich, England

RE. Barry Cooper.

As you no doubt actually know, communism isn't based on atheism.

The deaths to which you refer were a result of communism as applied by the (atheist) Russian government. The deaths were not a result of atheism - there is nothing about not believing the story of there being a God/gods which makes one kill people on a massive scale.

To your credit, at least you didn't claim that Hitler was an atheist, too.

DWillerton, Lincoln, UK

Pope Benedict quoted on the BBC website:

The Pope told the crowd his own years as a teenager had been "marred by a sinister regime that thought it had all the answers".

"Its influence grew, infiltrating schools and civic bodies, as well as politics and even religion, before it was fully recognised for the monster it was," he said.

Sounds like he recognises the RC church for what it is.

Scott, London,

I am an atheist (I spent several years searching for a ''faith" without success).
In the main I agree with the article that religion is the new evil. Having said that however, in my search I have met many people whose belief system has given them great courage and compassion. I have met others whose faith has made them bigoted, insular and without compassion. So I guess that it is not so much religion, as the persons interpretation of it.
I find that some religious music can move me emotionally as can the wonder I feel at seeing a church or cathedral.
If there is a faith then I feel it is in the minds of the composers and builders.

Howard, Basildon, England

Religion is a crutch used by the (mentally) weak and/or stupid.

Perhaps that is an inflammatory comment, but if one looks at all the defenses of religion offered by the less loony brigade (ie: let's ignore the extremists) they mostly seem to center on the positives in terms of adding meaning to someone's life, giving them purpose, giving them a moral compass, giving them solace, etc. If you need to rely on tales from old books to find these things as opposed to from yourself and/or those around you, I would suggest that you are either weak of stupid.

If we accept that point, then it is not surprising that religion is a source of so much "bad stuff" (let's not use the word "evil", it will only encourage them) - any large group of dumb people will always revert to the lowest common denominator in terms of their actions -- look at football crowds, any mob, etc.

That is not to say that secularists are any brighter, it's just that we can get through life on our own two feet.

CW, London,

Stephen Lewis, Londonderry, urges us to ...
"look to the laws of Moses in the old testament." !!!

Need more proof of the lunacy of the religionists with their taste for the entirely irrelevant ?

Sean, Coventry, UK

Oh, can i just add that they do good architecture, though ...

Stupid, weak and narrow minded, but with a good eye for the use of light and space and handy with a mosaic more often than not !

CW, London,

Hold on, although i agree there as been wars and unspeakable acts in the name of certain religions, i do not agree that all that claims God as the head of their church are responsible especially on the subject of smearing the gay community. I am a bible believing Christian and as such my God, the true God loves all mankind, it is not the people that are gay he hates it is simply the act that is an abomination before the eyes of God. My suggestion to you is to read the KJV bible and look to the laws of Moses in the old testament.

Stephen Lewis, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

I live in hope that Britain really has had it with religion and that it's absurd teachings are banned from our schools.

William T, Tetbury,

Totally agree with the article. Religious 'figures' in all their guises place themselves above ordinary individuals and then are often exposed as paedophiles, adulterers and rabble rousers.

Religion has been the cause of more death and suffering than anything else in world history, while the religious figures live in opulence.

When religion was the only 'rule of law' it had a place, but just like hereditary monarchy it is now outdated, unbelievable and often dangerously fanatical.

David, St Albans, UK

Religion is the 'new' social evil???

There's nothing NEW about it. Religion has been evil for centuries.

James Anderson, Leicester,

But if tolerance is so important (Des, Edinburgh), why will you not extend tolerance to those whose beliefs differ from your own?

And after a century in which tens of millions of lives were cut down in the name of atheistic worldviews (eg Communism), is it not strange that we are pointing the finger at religion?

Barry Cooper, London,

The result is hardly a surprise is it. Out of all my friends and acquaintances the only ones who go to church are the couple who want their kids to go to the only decent school in their area, which has recently turned into a faith school. And once both their kids are established there, they'll never see a church again.

The government's support for faith schools has cost them many votes round my way.

Religion is as devisive as race.

Derek Smith, Brighton, UK

I agree totally that the institutions and organisation of faith is fundamentally anti social - so much blame and guilt has been done to so many. Its the arrogance and hypocrasy within religion that is the most painful to observe. Priests who abuse children, whilst morally condeming wrong everywhere they see it.. Others blowing themselves and those around them up in the name of their God. Come on humanity, its time for us to grow up and take moral responsibility for our own actions rather than to follow the rules of a supernatural text. Unless we wean ourselves away from these childish (in the worst sense) beliefs then I am afraid our ignorant and selfish future is inevitable.

James, Leicester,

What's new?

Paul Hyde, Mojimirim, São Paulo, Brazil

That religion is harmful and divisive is obvious: the adherents of each particular faith are convinced that their divinely inspired core beliefs constitute the simple truth. Intolerance is therefore an essential aspect of religious belief: a religious person cannot discuss the central tenets of his or her faith in rational terms.

Sadly, the great attention given to the writings and utterances of religious leaders by the media helps to foster this intolerance. The condemnation of gays by the Church is a case in point. The word "unnatural" has always been applied to practising gays, and this smear has contributed to the homophobic attitudes prevalent in general society. Is it natural, however, for a young trainee priest to commit himself to a life of celibacy?

Des, Edinburgh,

Simple media. If always in the news then it is gonna be looked on negatively. Since riots happen in China and reported, the PR of China plummeted. Due to US invasion of Iraq is constantly debated on newsnight and others. Public opinion of Americans went down from pre 2003 levels. If Iran is not mentioned in media for a month AND China was mentioned more then China will become the biggest threat. I wonder who would have been the bogey man during the cold war maybe Communism.

AL X, stockport, england

I totaly agree with the findings.
s.santhiramolesan

sinniah Santhiramolesan, bushey uk, uk