According to The Times, the Foundation's poll of 3,500 people has "uncovered a widespread belief that faith – not just in its extreme form – was intolerant, irrational and used to justify persecution". Pollsters had asked subjects "what they considered to be the worst blights on modern society, updating a list drawn up by Rowntree, a Quaker, 104 years ago".
The story continues, "The responses may [sic] well have dismayed him. The researchers found that the 'dominant opinion' was that religion was a 'social evil'." (Just how they "may" have dismayed him when he wasn't around when they were published is known only by the Times writer, Robert Watts, who might have chosen "might", but for the fact that he didn't – but I digress.)
One subject is quoted as saying, "Faith in supernatural phenomena inspires hatred and prejudice throughout the world, and is commonly used as justification for persecution of women, gays and people who do not have faith."
Well, we hate to say we told you so.
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FOOTNOTE: If you want to see how adherence to some of religion's barmier edicts may be killing us off, read this. It's sobering stuff.
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