Counter Argument

 Religion is not without its boons (NEELEMAN , HALPERN , LEON , & LEWIS , 2000) Nelleman, Halpern, Leon & Lewis claim that their study links the effects of religious identity with personal meaning and prosocial concern, illustrating how religion provides a resource for meaning and purpose and a sense of commitment to caring for others beyond themselves. What this means is that people who see themselves as part of a religious identity use their religion as a means for assisting and caring about others beyond themselves. Another example is that religious networks can provide social support to parents, as claimed by John Bartkowski (a Mississippi State University sociologist) (Wenner, 2008). He then goes on about to talk about the “values and norms” claming that “values and norms that circulate in religious congregations tend to be self-sacrificing and pro-family” and that these “could be very, very important in shaping how parents relate to their kids, and then how children develop in response.” What this means is that due to religious children (those attending congregation’s) are more likely to be self-sacrificing (putting others before themselves) and pro-family (maintain positive relationships with family members). These are just a few examples of how religion can be a positive influence on the world.