Motion: Religion makes the world a better place.

In this debate I will seek to persuade you against agreeing with the motion, "Religion makes the world a better place." I will not address whether Religion is capable of leading a person to the truth, though I believe it does not. Likewise, I will not refute the individual good work that is done by many religious people and even sometimes by religious institutions, but I do not accept that these acts of goodness outweigh the negative effect that Religion has on society. Thus, I truly believe that Religion does NOT make the world a better place. I have come to this realization through my own experience as a religious person, through my work with non-profit organizations, and through my observation of human suffering in the world around us. To demonstrate my point, I will look firstly at the establishments that are religious, then the philosophy that surrounds Religion itself. RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS AND THEIR ACTIONS First and foremost, it is clear that there would be less violence on Earth if there was no form of Religion, even if we look only at the last century. As renowned atheist Richard Dawkins says in his 2013 autobiography, "religion is the principal label, and the most dangerous one, by which a "they", as opposed to a 'we' can be identified." Because of Religion, wars are fought with no end, borders are drawn and defended, countries are invaded, and people are put to death. New faiths are met not only with derision, but with violent alternatives. Radicalized Islamic men and women are taught to kill and die for their faith through suicide bombings. Religious organizations and their teaching are- too often to be affected by more liberal outliers- ultimately conservative in their social doctrine. It is religious conservatism that, among other things, has: a) fought the advancement of the rights of women and in many cases, actively put women down. b) oppressed the poor and supported the bourgeoisie, as seen when charities such the Missionaries of Charity (that of the late Mother Theresa), run death houses in order to draw in donations and that money is used for political fights instead of the uses of the charity. c) contributed actively through outdated teachings to the violence against the LGBT community. d) Fought the use of contraceptives so strongly that programs in Africa still teach that using condoms increase the incidence of HIV/AIDS. RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE AND ITS AFFECT ON SOCIETY Just as religious doctrine affects the world in active ways, it affects its members in more subtle ways as well. The doctrine of most Religious faiths impedes the betterment of the human race through its implacable opposition to scientific advancement. Modern religious organizations still today argue that intelligent design should be taught in schools, and teach young people that the Earth is 6,000 years old. Their members are taught to deny scientific evidence that refutes church teachings. In the same vein, it is my sincere belief that Religion does not lend itself to the production of critical thought, and it is too often that even those spiritual men and women who truly deserve admiration and praise allow themselves to be swept along with the current. It is this power of the most far-reaching Religions that warps the direction of the most well-intentioned, as mentioned above with poor Mother Theresa. CONCLUSION The teachings of too many Religions are created to shepherd its followers in the direction it wants them to go, and people who question the teaching of most Religions are excommunicated. The indoctrinated are taught to spread the faith, which leads to judgement, oppression, and violence. This system is too widespread to be combated by any more amiable system of spirituality. Religion is not made better by its most admirable followers, it is only made to look better. It is evident that virtually all positive aspects of Religion can be achieved without a doctrine and for these reasons, I believe that the Religion does NOT make the world better.