Does religion tend to make people better or worse?

[Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook]

It is often assumed that religion is supposed to make someone a better person, but there are people who have became worse because of religion, from the slave owners of the 19th Century to Mel Gibson.

But which is really more common? Religions are mostly about being a better person, but since many people became worse because of religion, what should be the exception and what should be the rule?

[Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook]

As a gay in a predominantly Christian nation, religion made me much worse.  That's why I quit.  If God is real, then he doesn't need to communicate with you by writing in a book and giving it to a teensy tiny minority of people on earth.

I also get very uncomfortable with the Christian obsession with Christ's death.  You aren't learning from his lessons or his sermons.. you are worshiping his death. 

I get that salvation was dependent on his death... and most just focus on salvation... but I've seen way too much hand wringing about the nails and the cross and the suffering...

You know what Jesus would say while you're crying over his crucifixion?  There are people suffering right here and yet you ignore it.  I do not know you!

What about non-homophopic churches?

[Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook]

It is often assumed that religion is supposed to make someone a better person, but there are people who have became worse because of religion, from the slave owners of the 19th Century to Mel Gibson.

Do you really believe that slave owners would have freed their slaves if they became atheists?  They used religion as a justification.

Religion was one of the reasons for ending slavery.

It was also one of the reasons for preserving slavery.

"Down with the eagle, up with the cross."- Battle Cry of Freedom (Confederate version)