> [A]ssuming that religious practices are bunk is a pretty damn effective heuristic. Maybe, but if I take your statement seriously, I would surmise that it's o

> [A]ssuming that religious practices are bunk is a pretty damn effective heuristic. Maybe, but if I take your statement seriously, I would surmise that it's only an effective heuristic because being excessively distrusting/cynical has less downside in cases where the practice is actually sound. That aside, you have to work a little bit harder to discern religious practices that are rooted in activities that are observably and directly beneficial to individuals and society (meditation, compassion), and activities that are either antiquated (not eating shellfish/pork) or were created to perpetuate the religion or its leaders (tithing).