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These days, very few pay attention to their pastor, which is just as well because very few pastors are worth listening to. On the other hand, religion was quite successful at bringing about prohibitions against infanticide, organized charity, and guarantees of free will, free speech, and equality in the eyes of the law. You know... civilization.
Well I can agree with the first part, but I take issue with the latter. Religion certainly has some utility, and if nothing else it's great at ensuring it survives, but as regards its total contribution to human well being, I think you'd be hard pressed to make a decent case for breaking even.
Antibiotics alone, have improved and prolonged the lives of billions.
Permalink Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:29:00 UTC | #146803