Atheist criticisms of religion

Atheist criticisms of religion

The bad

Not all atheists are hostile to religion, but many do think that religion is bad. Here are some of their reasons:

• Religion gets people to believe something untrue.
• Religion makes people base the way they run their lives on a falsehood.
• Religion stops people thinking in a rational and objective way.
• Religion forces people to rely on outside authority, rather than becoming self-reliant.
• Religion imposes irrational rules of good and bad behaviour.
• Religion divides people, and is a cause of conflict and war.
• The hierarchical structure of most religions is anti-democratic, and thus offends basic human rights.
• Religion doesn't give equal treatment to women and gay people, and thus offends basic human rights.
• Religion obstructs scientific research.
• Religion wastes time and money.

The good

Most atheists willingly concede there are some good things about religion, such as:

• Religious art and music
• Religious charities and good works
• Much religious wisdom and scripture
• Human fellowship and togetherness