Societies worse off 'when they have God on their side'
By Ruth Gledhill, Religion Correspondent

RELIGIOUS belief can cause damage to a society, contributing towards high murder rates, abortion, sexual promiscuity and suicide, according to research published today.

According to the study, belief in and worship of God are not only unnecessary for a healthy society but may actually contribute to social problems.

The study counters the view of believers that religion is necessary to provide the moral and ethical foundations of a healthy society.

It compares the social peformance of relatively secular countries, such as Britain, with the US, where the majority believes in a creator rather than the theory of evolution. Many conservative evangelicals in the US consider Darwinism to be a social evil, believing that it inspires atheism and amorality.

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1798944,00.html
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Now this article is very interesting. It seems to be missing a qalifier though it is implied. The problem is not so much with religion as it is the trumping of common sense and the empiracal domain. Of course most religions attempt just such things a few don't (mainly philosophical ones like buddism).

RELIGIOUS belief can cause damage to a society, contributing towards high murder rates, abortion, sexual promiscuity and suicide, according to research published today.

According to the study, belief in and worship of God are not only unnecessary for a healthy society but may actually contribute to social problems.

*holds back laughter* Were they drunk when they did this research?

It compares the social peformance of relatively secular countries, such as Britain, with the US, where the majority believes in a creator rather than the theory of evolution.

Wha-? There are more murders, abortions, suicide, and STDs in americans than British...this can ONLY be a result of evil facist religion and is no way tied to anything else:rolleyes:

Yes, because the faiths of the world that instill virtues in the people and preach against such social evils are the main causes of them. Brilliant. :rolleyes:

religion can be harmfull when it turns into a cult/click, the old were better then them idea. I don't really believe the religion itself is bad{most of them}, but the group that makes up the followers definitly could be, it has been proven throughout history.