Religion has shaped cultures, inspired people, and provided a sense of purpose for billions.
However, we can’t ignore the fact that it’s also been the source of a lot of problems. Whether it’s creating divisions, justifying harmful practices, or influencing laws in ways that limit personal freedoms, religion has played a major role in many global issues — in fact, sometimes it’s solely responsible for them. While faith itself isn’t necessarily the problem, how people use it often is. Here are just a few ways religion has negatively impacted the world at large, so much so that many people have started to believe we might be better off without it.
1. Fuelling division and conflict
Religion is supposed to bring people together, but in reality, it’s been used to drive people apart for centuries. From wars fought over religious differences to communities torn apart because of opposing beliefs, faith has often been the excuse for division rather than unity. Even today, religious divides cause tension between countries, political parties, and even within families. Whether it’s sectarian violence, religious nationalism, or discrimination against those who believe differently, religion has played a massive role in creating “us vs. them” mentalities.
2. Suppressing personal freedoms
In many places, religious laws dictate what people can wear, who they can marry, and how they should live. While some people willingly follow these rules, others are forced into them through cultural pressure or actual legal restrictions. From women being told what they must wear in public to same-sex couples being denied rights, religious influence often limits individual freedom. When personal choices are controlled by religious doctrines, whether through government policies or societal expectations, it stops people from living life on their own terms.
3. Justifying discrimination
Source: Pexels One of the biggest issues with organised religion is how often it’s been used to justify discrimination. Whether it’s sexism, homophobia, racism, or caste-based oppression, religious texts and teachings have been used to validate harmful prejudices. Even when societies move forward, some religious groups cling to outdated beliefs, making it harder for progress to take hold. People use faith as an excuse to judge, exclude, or treat others unfairly — all while claiming they’re simply following divine guidance.
4. Slowing down scientific progress
Throughout history, religious institutions have resisted scientific discoveries that contradict their teachings. From punishing early astronomers for saying the Earth isn’t the centre of the universe to resisting modern advancements in medicine and evolution, religion has often stood in the way of progress. Even today, debates over issues like stem cell research, reproductive health, and climate change are often influenced by religious beliefs rather than scientific evidence. While faith and science don’t always have to be in conflict, religious resistance has slowed down many important discoveries.
5. Exploiting followers for money
Some religious institutions and leaders have turned faith into a business, profiting off the devotion of their followers. From multi-millionaire televangelists to religious groups that demand excessive donations, there are plenty of cases where religion is more about money than morality. Some churches and organisations guilt people into giving money they can’t afford to lose, promising blessings or salvation in return. Meanwhile, corrupt leaders live in luxury while their followers struggle financially, believing their sacrifices are part of a higher purpose.
6. Encouraging guilt and shame
Many religious teachings focus on the idea of sin, making people feel guilty about things that are completely natural, such as desire, anger, doubt, or even just wanting personal happiness. While morality is important, some religious messages take it to an extreme, making people feel unworthy or constantly at fault. For some, this guilt is lifelong. People grow up believing they’re inherently sinful or broken, leading to anxiety, low self-esteem, or a fear of being judged. Instead of guiding people to be better, some religious systems trap them in a cycle of guilt they can never fully escape.
7. Promoting extremist ideologies
While most religious followers are peaceful, history has repeatedly shown that faith can be twisted to justify violence. From holy wars to modern terrorism, extremist groups have used religion as a tool to spread fear, oppression, and destruction. Even outside of violence, religious extremism fuels intolerance. Whether it’s refusing medical treatment for children, denying basic rights to women, or pushing for oppressive laws, religious radicalism continues to cause real harm in society (and that’s putting it extremely lightly).
8. Manipulating people through fear
Many religious institutions have long relied on fear to keep followers in line — fear of hell, fear of punishment, fear of going against the will of a higher power. Instead of encouraging free thought and personal growth, they use fear to maintain control. That fear can make people afraid to question anything, even when something feels morally wrong. It also stops them from exploring new perspectives, as they’re taught that doubt or curiosity could lead them away from their faith and into danger.
9. Blocking access to reproductive rights
Religious influence plays a huge role in restricting access to birth control, abortion, and sex education in many parts of the world. Instead of giving people the tools to make informed choices, some religious groups push abstinence-only messages that often do more harm than good. By opposing contraception and reproductive healthcare, religious organisations have made it harder for people, especially women, to take control of their own bodies. The result? Higher rates of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and preventable health issues.
10. Spreading misinformation
Source: Unsplash From denying evolution to rejecting medical advancements, religious groups have often spread misinformation to keep their teachings intact. Some faith-based communities reject vaccinations, refuse life-saving treatments, or promote conspiracy theories under the guise of religious truth. When misinformation spreads, real harm follows. Whether it’s discouraging people from seeking medical help or influencing political decisions based on false claims, religious misinformation has serious consequences.
11. Encouraging forced conversions
Source: Unsplash Throughout history, religious groups have forced people to convert through war, colonialism, and social pressure. Even today, some communities shame or pressure people into following a specific religion, making them feel like they have no choice. Forced conversion isn’t just a thing of the past — it still happens in different ways. From children being raised in strict religious households without exposure to other beliefs to communities threatening social rejection for leaving the faith, the pressure to conform remains strong.
12. Limiting women’s rights
Many religious traditions place men in positions of power while limiting the rights and freedoms of women. Whether it’s banning women from leadership roles, enforcing strict dress codes, or restricting education, religion has often played a role in keeping women from having equal opportunities. While some religious groups have modernised, others still resist change, keeping women in restrictive roles and using faith as a justification for outdated gender expectations.
13. Preventing LGBTQIA+ acceptance
Religious teachings have been used to justify discrimination against gay and trans people for centuries. Even today, many religious groups refuse to accept same-sex relationships, transgender identities, or anything outside of traditional gender roles. That rejection leads to real harm — higher rates of mental health struggles, family rejection, and even violence. While some faith communities have embraced the LGBTQIA+ community, many still use religion to push exclusion and intolerance.
14. Influencing politics in harmful ways
Religion and politics are often intertwined, and that’s not always a good thing. When religious beliefs shape government policies, it can lead to laws that restrict freedoms, deny rights, or push specific moral views onto everyone, even those who don’t follow the same faith. From banning books to restricting healthcare options, religious influence in politics continues to impact real lives. While faith can be a personal guide, forcing it into law creates problems for those who don’t share the same beliefs.
