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Too bad this study won't be circulating in secular circles...

Archeology has shown that religion -- spiritual practice -- is about as ancient as mankind. The oldest remains of human societies have artifacts that tens to lead one to realize that humans have a basic spiritual sense and need. Art, music, dance and story-telling (literature) are ancient and also have a religious base.

The idea of humankind without religion is interesting but implausible.

The question is what religion? What truths are we best served by spiritually? It seems that every major religion has undergone tremendous changes, although basic core beliefs remained the same.

Since women were mentioned in the article, it is clear that in the New Testament women were equal or almost equal participants originally. This was a break from Judaism at the time, but the earlier form of Judaism included women prophets and matriarchs, who were vitally important. Today, in many branches of Christianity and Judaism, women are equal or becoming equal to men in their roles.

I am a woman and the founder of the first religious theory of art from the USA, UnGraven Image. Fifty ears ago there were few women artists who were recognized. As a woman I would have been shunned by churches and synagogues for my work -- based only on my sex. Yet today, I am welcomed with opened arms. The basic theologies did not change. Nor did The Bible. Understandings changed.

Throughout history people who are really less spiritual and close to God have used whatever they could to gain power and bully others. These people have often used religion to gain authority. They used and will use anything they can.

The problem is not as much with religion as it is with those who use it for power and control over others.

I strugglesd in life with many issues and still do, but a change took place instantly, an obvious change to those around me. I had accepted the fact that I was me. My personality however abrasive along with my language was out of control. I met with someone who has been real in my life, It sounds crazy but my heart changed my bad language instantly was removed, words and ideas have been place in my head from out of the blue, I had a realization of my inadequacies. But it wasn't religion that changed me, it was a man, a God, a Messiah, no doubt to me and millions of others like me, it was Jesus. Until you experience it doesn't exist in an understanding way, for that I'm truly sorry. If you really desire the Truth do these things, Read the Bible in a way of meditation, Pray seeking the truth be revealed to you in a real way, during this time remove other devisive doctrines and give Him, the Bible your time 6-8 hours a day, that's not much time for someone that wants to know the truth and it will set you free.

Religion is ridiculous. If no-one else was bothered by the idea of invisible beings, immaculate conception, zombies rising from the dead, and all the other bunk that nearly every religion dishes out, I would be seriously disturbed. Contemporary religions, in almost every culture oppress women, require monetary contribution, and lie to oppress reason and science. Thankfully most people I know have given up these silly childhood beliefs that were forced on them by older generations, and can now focus on being wonderful human beings who give back to their communities, friends,and families. The selfless acts that atheists do, simply because they enjoy seeing people happy, greatly outweigh any acts performed out of fear of retribution or hope of salvation from some conceptual goddess or god.

Judy Rey Wasserman, you give the bible 6-8 hours a day? thats a lot of time for a bizarre, violent ancient book! imagine the good you could accomplish in the world around you with all that time!

Guthrie nails it in one sentence: "These indications of the personal and social benefits of faith don't speak to its truth claims."
Of course lies and balderdash can be beneficial, I mean who is happier, the person who doesn't know the spouse is cheating, or the one who does? The dying patient who thinks he's going to live, or the one who knows he is dying?
I think Guthrie may be right in pointing out, that religion is not inherently dangerous to the believer himself - it's heretics, non-conformists and deviants that have to look out. It does not, however, change the fact that religion IS ridiculous.
Religions are constantly developing views on good and bad, lawful and unlawful. The Christians of this century, would have been the heretics of another. Either God changes his mind a lot, the profets lied, or God exists solely in the mind of a more fickle creature - man himself. The latter would explain why the gods always seem to agree with whatever world view the believers subscribe to.

Religion is ridiculous- and unnecessary. The problem with religion for me is not that I care what others believe- some believe in ghosts, some believe in crystal energy, some believe in santa claus. I don't care what your personal beliefs are but I do care how you try to make them concrete. Offering proof by interpreting things how you want to, discarding parts of said proof and highlighting others, saying at once that one book is true because it just is, and applying science to certain parts of that book to base it in history, and then saying that other parts are not true when science proves them wrong- that is dangerous and limits us as a species. Attacking atheists and any science which goes against what you want to believe- pretending that humans are only ever good to one another when an ancient hippy tells us to- scaring impressionable children into thinking they are bad and have to think what you say or else be damned- that is wrong. Meditate, pray, do what you like with your own mind. Just don't force the rest of the world to play with your imaginary friend too. When there is no reason to believe something, even if there are many ways you can say that something is possible- there is still no reason to believe it. Logic, science... they are not tools for the religious to justify themselves. Religion is theory, and nonsensical theory at that.