I've noticed in my time debating about religion that militant atheists, from ones as reserved and eloquent as Richard Dawkins to the shorthand-using adolescents who dedicate themselves to the obliteration of religion, will cite atrocities such as the Inquisition and the attacks of September 11th as a reason why religion is inherently evil. The argument goes that had the perpetrators not had religious faith of any sort, they would lack the motivation to commit such acts. In essence, we can reduce the argument to: "Religious motivation is detrimental, and often harmful."

However, religious motivation was responsible for Mozart's seminal "Requiem Mass", and Michaelangelo's masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel. These are artistic treasures that have defined western culture as we know it today, and they are also hailed as pivotal works in other parts of the world. And yet, religion is not given credit for being the inspiration for these marvels, whereas it is given sufficient blame for mass murder and terrorism. The argument does not hold up when its counterpart is presented equally. If we distribute blame to religion for religiously-motivated killings, why then do we also not credit religion for the good it has done for our culture and way of life?

Religion, in a sense, can accurately be compared to a hammer. Such a tool is capable of creating great works of art, or even more practical devices. It may also be used to bludgeon someone to death. But no matter what someone uses it for, no credit or blame will ever be given to the hammer. All that matters is the person who does it.

Religion is a tool like any other, and like any other tool, it is not inherently bad, but nor is it inherently good. One does not give credit to tools for the actions of a talented artist, or blame to tools for the crimes of a deranged psychopath. All the responsibility falls to the person who commits such actions, and so should it be when discussing religion.

Religion is an ideology, and what are ideologies but sets of words? And as we've all heard many times, actions speak far louder than words ever could.