> Care to elaborate? Not the OP, but I grew up in a place where churches influence politics. My niece is in high school there and I recently learned that she l

> Care to elaborate? Not the OP, but I grew up in a place where churches influence politics. My niece is in high school there and I recently learned that she lost most of her friends when she decided she is an atheist (this broke my heart). Private faith is probably not so problematic, and some church functions are undoubtedly beneficial to their communities. However, I see organized religion as a negative for society.