Mini Essay: A Case Against Organized Religion

It’s time we move past organized religion as a society.

It’s time we move past organized religion as a society. I fully acknowledge the spiritual and ethical value of religion, and the charitable and communal virtues that organized religion has contributed, but the cost/benefit analysis ultimately comes out against it if we consider the track record.

Unfortunately, religion has too often compromised its own values, with faith being weaponized to manipulate, exclude, and divide. Awakened and critically engaged religious practitioners seem to be the minority, rather than the norm. Because of their reliance on supernatural and dogmatic beliefs, religious societies are often conformist, hypocritical, and overly traditional, and prioritize authority and adherence to arbitrary rules over personal freedom, freedom of thought and social progress (with the associated guilt, shame, ostracism for those who deviate).

Don't get me started on the inherent and deeply entrenched patriarchy, with women often being placed in subordinate and caretaking roles and orthodox laws placing limits on women's autonomy, education, and their ability to express themselves creatively!!! (this was my first red flag against religion growing up).

So, I completely understand why many people move away from organized religion on a personal level. On a societal level, I think we’re better off moving toward a more secular, humanist framework—one that might borrow from various religious traditions but is ultimately rooted in shared, non-exclusionary values and rituals.

As Marx put it, religion can serve as the “opium of the masses,” acting as a crutch that discourages people from confronting the uncertainties of existence on their own terms. While it may offer solace, it’s all too easy to manipulate these fears with promises of ultimate truth or a better “afterlife.” Historically, this has been exploited to suppress critical thinking and justify wars, colonialism, and social injustice—patterns we continue to see play out today.

A secular framework doesn’t have to be anti-religion. It can borrow from religious values and serve as a neutral foundation where shared values like compassion, justice, and empathy become the unifying principles, allowing people to find meaning without relying on dogma or supernatural stories.

I personally f*** with Buddhism (though I’m aware any school of thought that pretends to hold all the answers can be easily manipulated) and secular philosophies (humanism, stoicism, etc.) that actively encourage critical thinking, self-reflection, and personal growth rather than uncritical adherence to scripture or deities.