[La Li Lu Le Lo]

Okay, being a good Christian isn't about "leaving out the bad parts of the Bible". It's about understanding what those parts mean now and what they meant when they were written.

[Arclight]

There's a big difference.

People control soft drinks, but religion controls people.

I do believe you might be confusing politics and religion.. Some people use religion in politics and there is politics in religion. But..
Religion is a philosophy and a belief in something. That is all.. Organization is where the politics come in. Now if we shift the focus away from religion and onto organization where it rightly belongs you see that you have focused on the wrong aspect.
You have the right concept you are just blaming the wrong guy.
Once you organize something or give it a "brand" and start selling it.. But really organization is found in every aspect of our lives and it is through organization that Rules are formed and enforced.
Once there are rules in place, there then exists, an opposite stance by default. Or if you will.. The birth of extremism.

See?

[Thomas60]

That's true. It still reflects a paternalistic attitude to me, taking away freedom of choice just because some people make a stupid choice. While it sucks that religion can lead to extremism, I am uncomfortable with the idea of trying to take it away from everyone who wants to use it more humanely. I don't think I have the right to take it away from those who use it for good because there are those who use it for ill. If I do that, what's to stop others from taking away my right to make dumb choices? I happen to enjoy that right! :D

And I don't think religion necessarily controls people. I know free thinkers who are religious. They aren't all sheeple.

People would be able to enjoy it alot more humanely if they took out the mentally damaging verses, you can't place blame purely on stupid choices when the religion teaches obedience "lay not on your own understanding", the dangerous extremist view is the literal view. I don't see the normal religious people having any sort of rational pedestal for putting them back in place.

I'd hypothesise the abrahamic religions (jewish/christian/islam) have the largest percentage skew in their population of what we consider dangerous extremism compared to Hinduism/Sikhism/Shinto/Jainism/buddhism...
...that the important difference between the two groups that causes this, is inherent in what the doctrine teaches in its verses.

I could argue against the latter faiths, but why spend paternalistic effort where there isn't a perceived problem?

[IKilledVoltron]

There wont always be a distinction between regular practice of a religion, and extremism. If we take the two most popular religions on the planet literally (Islam & Christianity) We see that practicing these religions includes extremism by nature.

[Btmangan]

Religion isn't the issue.

Clan mentality is the issue. Groupings and clans spring up around all kinds of things, and people find reasons to kill enemy clans.

That's just human nature.

[Acquavallo]

I think they,re both the problem. Although, extremism is a much more pressing one. Religious extremism is actually not extremism. If you really think about it, they're just doing exactly what should be done according to their religion. Non 'extremists' are simply less retarded. Religion is a way of rendering people uncaring about truth, advancement and much more. It comes in pure forms, and diluted ones. But, as cyanide, in any concentration, I would always call it a problem.

[NotSoRighteousRob]

What is the proper question?

And do you intentionally forget the (admittedly minority sometimes) groups of religious people who are, in the case of Christianity, living Christ-like by giving more than they take and really trying to make a difference? Sometimes they look like martyrs and personally I find that annoying sometimes, but they don't seem to have such hypocritical priorities.

I would say I see more atheists act "Christ-like" than I ever have Christians or any other religiously affiliated group. But atheists don't need to be praised because it's not the after we worry about. Even in the bible Jesus says it is giving from what you need that matters, not from your excess. If Christians are going to be rewarded for their good deeds it provides ulterior motives.

[sprinkles]

Unnecessary dogma is the issue. This includes, but is not limited to extremism. Even moderate dogma can be problematic.

[Finntheirish]

I would argue that religion in its purest form is the problem because one of the most important elements of a religion is to spread it. The process of spreading the religion is what causes the most problems with religion. If you look at the number of wars fought and the number battles started because of religion. Even things like the Protestant reformation in Germany, and then Europe were essentially caused by spreading your religious views. I do believe however that had it not been religion we fought over it would have been politics so we will always fight I just think religion can tend to bring out more unfounded passion in some people than others reasons to fight. With things like politics and ideals you are fighting over something you want to happen. Fighting over religion is fighting over something that you believe with your heart, your soul, and you mind. I would argue it is easier to change somebodies politics than it is their religion.

[hachi-roku]

The problem is ignorance. I have yet to figure out a solution... because of my ignorance.