I’ll admit I laughed when I saw the sticker:
WHEN RELIGION RULED THE WORLD
THEY CALLED IT THE DARK AGES
But then I started thinking of the ongoing reconsideration of the era itself, which suggests a far richer and more varied culture than we’ve admitted. Just look at the glorious cathedrals, for starters.
Add to that an awareness of the atheistic evils of the 20th century, beginning with Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and others. How many millions were murdered as their victims?
The sticker was on a tiny van parked at the trail head, and a bit further I came across its owner in a cloud of smoke.
Not to be judgmental, but I found myself wondering about his alternative. It looked pretty dark. As for me, I’ve seen enough to suggest religion – true religion – can release us from darkness as a people.
Let’s start with the civil rights movement, if you wish. But there are many others.
Think of religion as a sword that cuts both ways, depending on its user and that matter of love. And then ask, How else are we to aspire to a better world?
Jnana's Red Barn 
I think my answer can be found in the next to the last sentence of what you stated. Yes, religion is a sword that cuts both ways. People do the cutting, sure, but religion can be a powerful tool, and lord help us when it’s used for harm rather than hurt. I know, I’ve heard the warnings about godlessness, and chaos, but it doesn’t have to be that way. I think education is a good start, kindness and proper child rearing is a good start, and frankly, there are plenty of people doing that well without religion these days. I can’t quote statistics, but I think we could find evidence of it. Anyway, I guess I am less concerned with whether or not someone has a religion than I am with whether or not someone has been in an environment of growth, learning and kindness. If we realized that we only have so much time on this planet, and instead of blaming deities and demons for humanity’s failings, instead of thanking unseen beings, what if we thanked each other? Couldn’t we build a better world just by knowing that we are one tribe and we only have so many years and we should make the most of that? If after all of that we find that there is a loving god, then hey, bonus.
I hope this wasn’t an intrusion. I don’t mean it as a rant; it’s just a question that is very important to me. To paraphrase someone else, I do take religion seriously, that’s why I left mine. I wish we believed in each other more than we do in things unseen and unproven.
I love a good rant. Now, to create the world you envision! Happy New Year!
Yeah, I know. It’s a bit order. I think that’s been traditionally one of the great things about the organized church in modern times, the community, feeding the needy, coming together and sharing prayer requests is really a good way for your needs to be known so that others in the community can step in and help. It’s upsetting that John Lennon’s vision never really got off the ground. But I think there is still hope. It seems to be taking so long though, doesn’t it?
I meant to say, instead of blaming, what if we took responsibility?
A definite step in a positive direction.