Religions are unnecessary.

Based on the Title of this Debate, and the first argument posted by the host, it is fair to conclude that the burden of proof lies on Pro to prove that all religions are unnecessary. I will debate my position using the Christian Religion. I will enforce my position on the good works Christians do within local communities and on mission trips around the world. I will also argue that most religions are not violent, it is possible that Pro's point of view may be influenced by the extreme acts of terrorism that is predominantly found within the Muslim community. Christianity impact on the local community: Churches play major roles in helping the poor in cities across the United States. Religious groups in the United States donated approximately $95.88 billion dollars (32% of donations) to Giving USA Foundation in 2011. Educational organizations came in second, giving $38.87 billion dollars (13% of donations). (1) You have to understand that the largest charitable organization in the United States is the Christian community. Money is invested into local communities and mission trips. Churches play huge roles in organizing and helping communities who fall victim to natural disasters. Christian churches spend money and sponsor mission trips to countries that are infested with child sex trafficking. These churches also help fight against human trafficking in the United States. (2) "Finally, the single biggest predictor of whether someone will be charitable is their religious participation. Religious people are more likely to give to charity, and when they give, they give more money: four times as much. And Arthur Brooks told me that giving goes beyond their own religious organization: "Actually, the truth is that they're giving to more than their churches," he says. "The religious Americans are more likely to give to every kind of cause and charity, including explicitly non-religious charities." And almost all of the people who gave to our bell ringers in San Francisco and Sioux Falls said they were religious or spiritual." (3) Take note at the source listed above. Religious individuals are more likely to donate money, and they give almost four times as much! The site also indicated Liberals donate far less money than conservatives do. That being said, should "Liberalism" be thrown out in the trash with ALL religion? According to a Gallup Poll, approximately 77% of the people in the United States identify themselves as Christian. (4) 84% of the worlds population has faith, and 1/3 are Christian, according to the Washington Times. The Christian bible teaches of love, compassion, and forgiveness. I believe that people are capable of evil. Some do it in the name of Religion and it is completely wrong. But, people must also recognize that there are many religious people who contribute greatly to society through good deeds and charity. The Christian bible teaches that compassion. People have every right to have a relationship with their personal God. Can you disprove God? No you cannot, so who are you to claim that there is no God? There is absolutely no need for me to prove that there is a God, its my personal belief, and over 3/4 of the world share that same point of view. Until an Intelligent Creator is disproven, religion is acceptable. By the way, I like how you believe that over 75% of the world is "brainwashed". That's very nice of you to say that. I am fairly certain that you will pull out some sources that some of the most religious states in the United States have the highest crime rates. So let me go ahead and make a point. 10 Most Religious States in the United States: (4) 10: Oklahoma (10th Poorest State, 10th Highest Crime Rate in America) 9: Georgia 8: North Carolina 7: Tennessee (7th Poorest State, Highest Crime Rate in America) 6: South Carolina (9th Poorest State, 5th Highest Crime Rate in America) 5: Arkansas (2nd Poorest State) 4: Louisiana (8th Poorest State, 7th Highest Crime Rate in America) 3: Alabama (4th Poorest State) 2: Utah 1: Mississippi (Poorest State) I would also challenge you to do some research. There is a correlation between poverty and crime rate. Further, there is also a correlation between high crime rates and states with larger Black and Hispanic populations. I don't think violence has too much to do with Religion in the United States. Statistics have been proven that crime is directly linked to poverty, So I hope you do not to use Religious States as examples of breeding pools of criminality. I hope you can see the trend of poverty Can you please provide proof of "Many Christians" who threatened to kill atheists or gays in public? Based on this number should we assume that Religion should be thrown in the garbage? What about all of the other crime in the United States? This makes so sense. That is my stance. (1) http://www.washingtonpost.com... (2) http://justiceforlifecdp.wordpress.com... (3) http://abcnews.go.com... (4) http://www.cnbc.com...