religion is a force for evil/good

[Mid]

The Guardian have yet more articles about whether religion is good or not, but they're somewhat interesting so I thought I'd post them, the links are:

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/ac_grayling/2007/07/a_force_for_evil.html

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/paul_vallely/2007/07/a_force_for_good.html

The comments after the articles are quite revealing as well.

I suppose there's many points that can be commented on in these 2 articles which I'll probably let others get started on. However, I found these 2 arguments interesting:

From it's evil:

80% of British charities are non-religious, and non-religious people give more to charity than self-described adherents to a faith

From it's good:

Some 80% of British charities may be non-religious, but the research by the Home Office's Bureau of Volunteering shows that those committed to one of the historic faiths are between three and four times more likely to get involved in than others. I've seen examples all over the world. People of faith are the first in many difficult situations and they are usually the last to leave.

Supposing both quotes are true do people have any views on whether this makes atheistic or theistic charity more useful?

ETA: Bloody tags never used them before now I've got Xs everywhere.

 

[Mid]

Replying to my own thread is probably not good form but A C Grayling has a sort of follow on atricle to yesterdays article which I thought I'd link as well:

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/ac_grayling/2007/07/facts_and_fairydust.html

ETA: D'oh I've just worked out the Xs in the tags are only there for the thread starter to see.