Religion
The world would be a better place without religion. It creates a division between different cultures; producing an “us vs. them” ideology. They believe that everything they do is right, and everything else is wrong. As a result, people become willing to do anything, even kill. As evidenced by history, religion perpetuates bigotry, hate, and violence. Even today, several instances of religious terrorism exist, and many wars are motivated by the division caused by religion.
By extension, religion has often incited the discrimination of different social groups. Religion often treats women in a discriminatory fashion, giving them inferior status to men. They are deprived of opportunities, subjected to cruelty and violence. In addition, many religions are extremely hateful of homosexuality, believing it to be immoral.
Religion has also led to the suppression of scientific progress. By claiming to already possess the answer to questions such as natural phenomena, or the origin of life, it resists any answers brought forth by science. For example, many major religions heavily reject the idea of evolution, despite having been supported by extensive evidence, because it contradicts the ideas in its holy scriptures. Such religious views hold back progress by influencing the public to disbelieve everything put forward by science when its findings contradict religion.
However, the only reason religion has a significant effect on society, is because of its large number of followers. When religion is entrenched in the culture, people cease to think for themselves or to question their own beliefs, to think critically, and allow the scriptures or religious authorities to dictate their lives. This is especially true for children, who are most susceptible to ideas, regardless of its truth. This form of brainwashing has implications that reach into adulthood, poisoning the entire culture. Religion opposes rational thinking, for it undermines its control. For this reason alone, the world would be better off if religion ceased to exist.