With few exceptions, most faith groups have a positive influence
on their members.
Some religions and their followers have committed
terrible atrocities against women and
minorities.
Honest doubt helps prevent many religious injustices. Those who
were most certain of their faith were the ones who stoned the
prophets.
All, or almost all, theistic religions are "bottom-up" faiths.
That is, their beliefs, practices and holy books are the creation of
humans trying to comprehend the deity or deities that they have
created.
Few, if any, of the theistic religions are "top-down" faiths.
That is, their beliefs, practices and holy books represent
revelation from God to humanity.
We define "religious tolerance" differently from some people:
To be tolerant does not require that we accept other beliefs as true.
By religious tolerance, we mean that everyone - Christians, Jews, Muslims,
Wiccans, and others -- should be able to follow their
own religious beliefs and practices freely.
Religious diversity is increasing throughout North America. We need to develop a
religiously tolerant culture, or the U.S. and Canada are headed for disaster.