
Hitchens argues that this is not an isolated example, but part of a larger trend. In 2005, when some Islamic leaders declared that their supply of polio vaccine was part of a Western conspiracy, they prevented people from accessing it and soon polio spread to other countries as well. Religious zeal can detract from the quality of life in a community. All religions come with violent histories that outweigh any benefits they might have. However, even more troubling is the medieval period when Christians and Muslims fought in holy wars, as well as the religious conflicts happening today. These are all examples of religion being used to justify hate and violence. During World War II, Orthodox Serbs participated not only in the extermination of Jews but also directed violence at other Christians. In Beirut, the dominant Christian party is actually a Catholic militia that massacred two Palestinian refugee camps in 1982. In Belfast, sectarian violence between Protestants and Catholics destroyed city blocks. Hitchens goes on to mention several instances of oppression and violence perpetrated by religious authorities. Even though the ban was eventually overturned, the church successfully demonstrated its desire to exercise control over everyone, even those outside of its congregation. When the Irish were voting on whether or not they should uphold a ban on divorce in their constitution, the Catholic Church worked hard to keep the ban in place and perpetuate Catholic rule over non-Catholics. Hitchens uses Ireland as an example of this phenomenon. Instead, it tries to impose itself on others and interfere with their lives.


No religion is happy to stay within its own confines. If this is so, then what’s the point of practicing it? The following examination will reveal that religious pursuits are a gross misuse of research time and morality. Therefore humans don’t need religion anymore for answers.

This is because we have more knowledge about the planet, universe and ourselves.

1-Page Summary of God Is Not Great Introductionĭue to our progress in the fields of evolution, astronomy and medicine, religion no longer has any practical application.
