Religion/Faith/Spirituality only becomes a problem when it’s adherents decide they know what is best for others than those actual others do, and attempt to gain power and control over those others. History is lousy with this nonsense and there are mountains of corpses to prove it.
Atheists like to insist that they do not desire power and control over others, but although they have far less history, Stalin and Mao alone racked up a body count that approaches 75 million dead people — many slaughtered for their beliefs.
But weirdly, this desire for power and control is not isolated to faith or rejection of faith.
Political leaders from before the dawn of civilization have sought to impose their will on others.
Same with wealthy individuals.
Same with employers.
Same with police.
Same with teachers.
Same with street gangs.
Same with Academics.
Even scientists are guilty of seeking to find ways to dominate and control other people.
It’s not a religious problem. It’s not a problem with atheism.
It’s a problem with the fallacious and selfish human desire to exert power and control over the thoughts and actions of others for our own selfish desires and benefits.
It is also a mistake to assume ANY human is rational. Scientists can be angry jerks, academia is filled with rivalries and petty vindictiveness — you know, just like corporate workplaces, churches, schools … any place you find people.
And religion, money, power — those are just the tools used to channel this desire to control everyone else in our vain attempts to get everything we want, when we want it. It always fails and we hurt and injure others as we do this — and they retaliate and, well, just look at the Rec list if you want an example.
Now I’m off to go give Sunny scritches. Y’all try and be kind to each other.