The Decline of Religion

 "I am totally convinced... that all the metaphysical claims of traditional religions are untenable; and I am equally convinced that, although here and there religious institutions may have done some good, for the most part they have caused a great deal of harm and mischief. In the short run, the dislocations and the sense of loss that accompany the decline of religious belief and of the authoritarian and repressive morality associated with it are likely to produce some distress and confusion. In the long run, however, the decline of religion will be of incalculable benefit to the human race."           - Paul Edwards, N. Y. C. 1985