As I go about my job search and daily online reading, I came across this answer to Beliefnet. They say that are specifically NOT fencesitters in religion and secular practices, but rather serve to promote religious tolerance, that is a healthy toleration of those who believe and practice differently from your self.
Clearly, with the diverse population (in my on family and communities!) this affects everyone.
Welcome to the OCRT: "Religion is a unique force in society. It motivates individuals to do both good and evil. Historically, it has promoted: an
end to slavery, racial integration, equal rights for women, and equal rights for gays and lesbians. It has motivated individuals to create massive support services for the poor, the sick, the hurting, and the broken. Conversely, it has been used to justify slavery, racial segregation, oppression of women, discrimination against homosexuals, genocides, exterminations of minorities, and other horrendous evils.
Religion motivates some to
dedicate their lives to help the poor and needy. (e.g. Gandhi, Albert Schweitzer, Mother Teresa.) It drives others to exterminate as many 'heretics' as they can. Consider the mass murders and genocides in Bosnia, East Timor, Indonesia, India, Kosovo, the Middle East, Northern Ireland, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tibet, etc.
Religion has the capability to generate
unselfish love in some people, and vicious, raw hatred in others"
