https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/3cak0q/so_religion_does_have_a_purpose/

Now first things first, what I find funniest about this quote is that while all these edgy atheists are happily agreeing with it, they're inadvertently agreeing with something they disagree with by doing so - that is the claim that without religion we'd have no morals and go around murdering people.

Now to be fair some of the comments are pointing out that this is just stupid, but luckily it's summer and we've got a whole batch of edgy 14 year olds to supply us with some entertainment (or misery depending on how much you've had to drink).

But anyway, ignoring that let's jump into the comments! Whee~

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the philosopher as false, and by rulers as useful. - Seneca

Well rulers have certainly used religion before you can't deny that, but to claim that all of them did that and that none of them believed it to be true is just moronic. Also, the "philosophers as false" stuff is nonsense. Not only does this seem to pretend that philosophy didn't exist before the 18th century, but today there are still many many religious philosophers.

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ." (Ephesians 6:5)

Yay for out of context Bible quotes! Let's read on literally a few more sentences.

"And masters, treat your slaves the same way. Do not threaten them, for their master and yours is in heaven, and with him there is no favoritism." (Ephesians 6:9)

Oh... Well...

Anyway moving on!

This is exactly how religion has been used for centuries. The principles are sound, but the books have been written and rewritten to put the fear of God into the population. What better way to control those who hold more power than yourself.

For a start what a Christianity-centered argument. "The books have been written and rewritten". Which books? Aye, Shinto is known for all its documented scripture. Also, the Dead Sea Scrolls did kind of confirm that our current version is very similar to the original but we'll ignore that. Also, it's just pure ignorance. Is he honestly suggesting that all those monks - many of whom came from wealthy families themselves - sat there and devoted their lives to studying theology and living Godly lives so as to control the masses? Indeed you could try and make an argument like this for maybe the Pope or for Bishops (even though it would still be poor) but I assure you very much that the monks in their monastery weren't all sitting there controlling the earth and laughing as they made up a bunch of lies (or at least editing their beliefs) so as to control the population.

Actually that's what the law does. all religion does is give false hope and reasons to do stuff you wouldn't do with common sense.

We got a nobel prize winner over here! He has confirmed it's false hope and is all a massive lie! Can't wait to read his in-depth peer reviewed paper on the matter... Indeed I commented on this in the post but I do find it funny that on reddit you don't need evidence to back up your claims as long as they're anti-religion. Say that the world is 6,000 years old and you'll be asked for evidence but say that religion is "false" and use "magic sky fairy" as you're evidence and suddenly 10,000 upvotes.

But yes, don't worry, ratheists are all extremely intelligent and educated and definitely not victims of confirmation bias like those idiotic religious people...

This is one of the many insightful quotes from Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon, like modern politicians, was completely cynical in regards to religion...signing the Concordat in 1801, only later to imprison Pope Pious VII when he became a nuisance.

"Most insightful quotes" oh gosh my eyes. Also "like modern politicians was completely cynical in regards to religion" - this is going to need more evidence I think. To just judge someone's faith as false based on the fact that it may be beneficial to them is ignorant. Indeed, I am not fully sure of Napoleons actual views and so won't comment on that, but any insight from anyone who is would be helpful.

Wow what a bunch of pathetic replies in here. "Le edge" "lol kids" You morons are fucking worthless.

And here someone gets mad at the fact that a bunch of people aren't taking this post seriously, and apparently they're all "worthless". Let's see, if the post was "lol evolution isn't true" and no one took it seriously would you be mad? What you wouldn't? Oh I see, it only counts when the idiotic quote agrees with your beliefs. Okay

Anyway, I think I'll stop here before I give myself some kind of illness, but the fact that this got to the front page of reddit (especially under the extremely ignorant title "So religion does have a purpose" - yeah, because religion has never done anything good at all. Also, if it is true then you bet it has a purpose...) just shows really how enlightened and intelligent these ratheists actually are (not that we didn't know that already).