Criticism of religion is criticism of the concepts, doctrines, validity, and/or practices of religion, including associated political and social implications. Religious criticism has a long history. It goes at least as far back as the 5th century BCE in ancient Greece with Diagoras "the atheist" of Melos, and the 1st century BCE in ancient Rome with Titus Lucretius Carus' De Rerum Natura. It continues to the present day with the advent of New Atheism, represented by authors and journalists such as Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, Victor J. Stenger, and the late Christopher Hitchens. Alternatively, "religious criticism" has been used by the literary critic Harold Bloom to describe a mode of religious discussion that is secular but not inherently anti-religion. Criticism of religion is complicated by the fact that there exist multiple definitions and concepts of religion in different cultures and languages. With the existence of diverse categories of religion such as monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, nontheism and diverse specific religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Taoism, Buddhism, and many others; it is not always clear to whom the criticisms are aimed at or to what extent they are applicable to other religions. Critics often consider religion to be outdated, harmful to the individual, harmful to society, an impediment to the progress of science, a source of immoral acts or customs, and a political tool for social control. In the early 21st century the New Atheists, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, were prominent as critics of religion. Dennett, Harris, and Hitchens, assert that theist religions and their scriptures are not divinely inspired, but man made to fulfill social, biological, and political needs. Daniel Dennett has argued that, with the exception of more modern religions such as Raëlism, Mormonism, Scientology, and the Bahá'í Faith, most religions were formulated at a time when the origin of life, the workings of the body, and the nature of the stars and planets were poorly understood. These narratives were intended to give solace and a sense of relationship with larger forces. As such, they may have served several important functions in ancient societies. Examples include the views many religions traditionally had towards solar and lunar eclipses, and the appearance of comets (forms of astrology). Given current understanding of the physical world, where human knowledge has increased dramatically; Hitchens, Dawkins, and Onfray contend that continuing to hold on to these belief systems is irrational and no longer useful. In the 19th century, Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer argued that teaching some ideas to children at a young age could foster resistance to doubting those ideas later on. Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins, use the term child abuse to describe the harm that some religious upbringings inflict on children which include: Fear of punishment such as eternal damnation Guilt about sexual urges Depriving children the opportunity to think freely or openly Hitchens and Dawkins say that religions do tremendous harm to society in three ways: Religions sometimes encourage war (Crusades, Jihad), violence, and terrorism to promote their religious goals Religious leaders contribute to secular wars and terrorism by endorsing or supporting the violence Religious fervor is exploited by secular leaders to support war and terrorism Although the causes of terrorism are complex, it may be that terrorists are partially reassured by their religious views that God is on their side and will reward them in heaven for punishing unbelievers. These conflicts are among the most difficult to resolve, particularly where both sides believe that God is on their side and has endorsed the moral righteousness of their claims. One of the most infamous quotes associated with religious fanaticism was made in 1209 during the siege of Béziers, a Crusader asked the Papal Legate Arnaud Amalric how to tell Catholics from Cathars when the city was taken, to which Amalric replied: "Tuez-les tous; Dieu reconnaitra les siens," or "Kill them all; God will recognize his." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_religion

• published: 30 Dec 2013
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