Bill Maher expresses my feelings on religion quite eloquently.

My bitch about religion, as I think I have voice quite clearly numerous times, is that it often lends power to people who should remain powerless.

Insinuating God's endorsement of your prejudices give those prejudices undeserved power, and make them seem acceptable to the simpletons who place faith over intelligence.

By invoking God you can also destroy entire civilizations, destroy the planet's environment, and brutalize children until they bow to your, and of course God's, will.

And it's influence in this country is especially troubling. Especially if you are to realize that without it there would have been NO President Reagan, President Bush, or VP candidate Sarah Palin.

Faith kept private can provide solace and comfort, but used as a bludgeon it can, and has, led to immense suffering and harm.