In response to #6:

'"The Roman writer Seneca wrote, "To the common man religion is true, To the wise it is false, and to rulers... it is useful" '

Amen!

Organized religion is merely a hierarchical collection of human beings. Human beings who have written pieces of literature, "interpret" literature to tell a story and orally persuade others to believe in what they have to say. Some are more persuasive than others at telling the stories, but ultimately it takes an audience to validate the writings, the story, and the teller. The more important question is persuading people to what end? To oppress others? To suppress their desires? To be better informed on right and wrong within a given culture? To go to war? As it is for anyone in a position of authority, there should be caution when in a position of leadership.

Historically religion developed from humanity's need for answers to questions that were and still are 'unanswerable'.For example, where do we come from? is there a God? and where do we go when we die? These types of questions had a profound effect on the human experience and human civilization. Early religions attempted to answer these questions for humanity. As civilizations became more complex religions were used as instruments of socialization, that there were religious consequences for an individuals' actions. The 'Age of Enlightenment' with advances in politics and science,  gave religion its first real challenge. Since that time humanity has had the daunting task of reconciling its 'faith' with the 'facts'. This has led to present day arguments from doctrine, beliefs, politics and the  sometimes not so nice realities that human beings are confronted with. Having said that, I think religion has its place in the human experience, if the human so desires it. Religion is embedded deep among many people, that is why it is so volatile. Religion has the potential to reach the core of a person, it is extremely personal which is why respect by all humanity is necessary if we are to live on the same planet.

I agree with amy-lepore.  We cannot make a blanket statement about religion. The term "religion" encompasses SO many ideas, concepts, and beliefs that we cannot group them all and make statements that apply to all, so to speak.  There are some religions that do promote human rights crimes/violations, etc., that would, by a lot of people, be considered "wrong"; however, these people do not believe these practices to be wrong, so who is to say we are right and they are not (in theory)?  

While I agree that most true religions have similar foundations (love one another, do unto others as you would have them do to you, etc.), I would not agree that all religions are equal or right.  There are many cults out there that encourage self-denial or mutilation--take Jim Jones, for instance.  They all killed themselves at his command.  The Branch Davidians (ms?) did the same thing. 

You say "as long as we behave"...that is a relative term.  What do you mean by "behave"?  My definition may not meet yours.  The Christian Bible denounces homosexual marriage...if I behave in that manner, I will not receive a spot in heaven.  The same for abortion or capital punishment...does that apply to the "Thou shall not kill" factor?  Many religions denounce killing...yet we as humans practice this in different ways...mercy killings of terminal patients, death row inmates, abortion, etc.

There is too much to consider to make a blanket statement about religion.