Religion has been one of the great uplifting and unifying forces of human history. The
word itself derives from an ancient Latin term meaning “to bind together,” and
the religions of the world have often brought diverse groups together in pursuit of
higher moral or spiritual goals. In this way religion has not only strengthened the
bonds of community but also provided many of the basic moral principles on
which societies have been built. The world’s art and literature have been greatly
shaped by religion, and modern theater traces its origins to ancient and medieval
religious rituals. Not least important, religion provides comfort and consolation
and a guide for understanding life’s trials and triumphs, wonders and tragedies.
Religion has also been one of the most divisive and destructive forces in history.
The Crusades and the Muslim invasions of India are perhaps the best-known examples
of this tendency, but there have been numerous other incidents of violence
and social unrest inspired by religious hatred. In the modern world, religion
has been used to justify the oppression of women, the destruction of monumental
works of art, and the murder of countless thousands of innocent people.