> And although it sounds kind of mean and critical, it also allowed and generated a lot of nice things -- co-operation, altruism (one can argue forced altruism,

> And although it sounds kind of mean and critical, it also allowed and generated a lot of nice things -- co-operation, altruism (one can argue forced altruism, "god said, be nice to your neighbor Jimmy, or you'll burn in hell forever! -- Erm..., ok, will do definitely" might not be a true altruism, but that is a different discussion), it allowed for the care of the sick, etc... I don't agree. The "nice things" that religion enabled already existed before religion. Any of the "nice things" that got in the way of business for the powerful, well, became unimportant pretty fast. Charitable activities were funded by the wealthy as a political tool before a "moralizing god" existed, let alone became a common belief system. You cooperated with other people in your society for mutual benefit, primarily. People cooperated long before religion the popularity of a handful of monotheistic, moralizing gods. Being uncooperative on the level a religion punished [and sometimes, violent] is almost never beneficial except in extreme circumstances.