Sentinel Watch April 11, 2011 Issue

How useful is religion?

Anthony Whitehouse

In a survey by a leading market research company, Ipsos, done last fall, people in over 20 countries were asked if they believed religion had a positive or negative impact on their lives. Reports of positive impact varied from 20 percent in Sweden, to 64 percent in the United States, and 90 percent in Saudi Arabia.

Why would, in some countries, so few people find God a positive influence? Some may agree with Richard Dawkins, who authored the best-selling book, The God Delusion, which argues that a belief in God is redundant. Others may favor the views of agnostic journalist Christopher Hitchens, who debated the existence of God with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Toronto, Canada, last November. 

There’s also the argument that humanity has developed effective ways to deal with formerly insurmountable problems. Modern medicine, genetic engineering, agro-science, and technology have lifted burdens off the backs and minds of many, all without deific assistance, they say. 

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