[motor_racer]

Religion and faith are fine things. They help people to look to aspects of life larger then themselves. The CHURCH, however, is a different matter. Organized religion long ago co-opted faith for political power. Religion (faith) needs no organization. God would still be here without a pope. There are 2 institutions in the world that carry the blame for virtually all the death and destruction brought by man upon man. They are GOVERNMENT and THE CHURCH. Fundamentally they do not differ. They compete in the end. Shun both.

[drstevej]

"Organized religion long ago co-opted faith for political power."

This may well be true for much of organized religion but to make a universal statement is to throw out the baby with the bath water.

I leave you with a favorite quote, "For every problem there is a simple solution... and it is wrong." IMHO your solution is simplistic.