Religions cause harm: both to self and others.
But do they have benefits too? I think so.
I made a chart illustrating my intuitions on this:
I am sure I got much wrong but I hope this analysis can help in the dialogue.
Let me know what you think.

The foibles of human cognition are found among the religious and the non-religious alike; among theists and nontheists.  One such foible is "The Great Man Theory of History".  I have written and illustrated a critique of this theory here on my blog.  It is pertinent especially with the recent assassination of Osama bin Ladin. 

 

My post reviews the scientific…

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