In general, religion is cute, cuddly, and nice to have around.

Based on the little time you spent on "cute" and "cuddly," I'm assuming you knew both were figures of speech. "Nice to have around" is the real question at hand. Also, it looks like you need clarification on my meaning of "in General." By this I mean in most cases, or most of the time. By pointing to the obvious exception of satanism, it seems you took it to mean ALL religions or ALL of the time. "Let us start with the crusades." My statement read: "Religion... IS nice to have around." The fact that there were periods of time when religion caused more harm than good is already acknowledged and is not at odds with my statement. So you reference to the Crusades/Inquisitions does not apply. "Look at the wars even now" This DOES apply, but can be easily overcome by citing the fact that today billions of people use religion daily for positive purposes. They do not let the bad deeds of the comparatively few cause them to renounce their religions or to believe their observances are no longer worthwhile. "Religion has influenced almost every war that has ever been fought" That encompasses quite a number of years, and again, we are talking about today. So let's talk about today. Today, BILLIONS of people will enjoy and benefit from their religion, as evidenced by its popularity. I would imagine that, also today, a few hundred will be killed or harmed in the name of religion. I hold that since far more will be helped than hurt, they should not be deterred by the actions a the radical few. This "taking the good despite the bad" is not uncommon. For example, millions use and enjoy automobiles each day despite the fact that thousands die in automobile accidents each day. I would not see you arguing against the fact that automobiles, in general, are nice to have around. As with the automobile, billions benefit from their religion each day, while relatively few are harmed. "It radicalizes people." Yes, as I mentioned above, it does create fanaticism. But, again, only in the minority. And even then, a relatively small number would allow their fanaticism to inspire violence. I consider fundamentalist Christians in to be fairly fanatic, but I do not fear them. "... I don't consider Christianity or any of religion to be nice." My opening argument handles most of this. I gave several examples of good deeds encouraged by religion, and you addressed none of them. Instead you cited witch burnings and other atrocities from long ago. The bottom line is that TODAY most religious people are encouraged to do good deeds and avoid evil. "Handsoff says he knows many people who could not live happily without it" I said they would not be nearly AS happy without it. There is no hope for an afterlife if you are an atheist. This does not give me or most other atheists the warm fuzzies. That is why atheism is such an intellectually honest position. It is a position based purely on objective reasoning, despite attractive emotional whims. Religion, on the other hand, provides comfort, purpose and hope to the many by promising a better earthly life and an even better afterlife. Even if the comfort experienced by the religious is a result of the placebo effect, its value is not diminish. And despite some bad apples, the good behavior and worthwhile deeds promoted by believers is generally beneficial.