This is an aside, but I thought it was illuminating:
"Now Bob, I'd just like to understand how YOU personally believe that these particular lies harm children (I agree with your general rule about truth vs. lies, but my interest is specifically related to the topic of religion)
-omega_man7@lycos.com"
"You know, I shudder when I get an email like this. A literal chill goes up my spine when I hear someone ask the questions that you are asking me. Questions that display a complete ignorance as to how life works and what's wrong about lies. In fact, it shows me a result of the lies you've been taught already.
The greatest harm that the lie of religion causes is condoning a belief and trust in the illogical. Telling children that fantasies are real, eternal damnation awaits them, history doesn't have to make any sense, and science is not to be trusted, sets that child up to be completely unprepared to deal with real life issues. They are doomed to repeat mistakes of the past. They are told that God is the answer to all things and that Jesus Christ will guide them always, but He will not. He isn't there.
Another harm that religion condones is this idea that you can have a legitimate loving relationship with someone who's dead. This crazy lesson is a corrupt and distorted perception of love. And it's one that'll fuck with their idea of what love is for the rest of their life. Love is earned, not falling for free from the sky. And the energy spent loving this nonexistent being is energy that would be much better spent on people who're actually existing around them. Yes. Loving Jesus more than anyone else deprives real people of love. And yes, that's bad. To think that there are people who love God, Jesus, their religion more than their own family, it breaks my heart. But the lie of religion says it's okay.
And obviously one of the main reasons that the lie of religion is harmful is because it keeps people from the truth. The truth about where we actually come from, the truth about why we're here, and why we behave the way that we do, the truth about how we can help others, and the truth about any of the questions of life that arise throughout. Did you know that there is a real truth out there? There are real answers to where we came from! There are real answers to where we're headed! And there are real answers to how we can make this a better world for us all! But there is no need to ever search out those truths since we're all supposed believe the lie.
And one of the most disturbing harms that this lie achieves is wasting people's lives. People being told that life means serving a god. That's the meaning of life. Spending their entire life devoting all of their attention, their hopes and dreams, everything in the hands of a nonexistent being. What a complete waste of a life. I shake my head.
I'd be happy to make the list even longer if you aren't yet convinced that lies, ANY LIES, are harmful. Truth is out there, Omega Man! Now you tell me what good comes from ignoring it!
Bob"
http://www.normalbobsmith.com/hatemail249.html