Is the belief in God ultimately harmful to society?

[Yelnoc]

No, a belief in God is extremely beneficial to society.  The Abrahamic Gods in particular and their relevant creeds all imbue their followers with a sense of purpose.  Religions (Gods) provide people with a sense of higher purpose and a belief in an afterlife.  These two things encourage productivity and allow society to run more smoothly, because people who hold those two beliefs are more likely to be optimistic and energetic.  God does not need to exist in a physical sense to have a profound effect on society; so long as the masses believe in Him (Her/It/etc), He exists.