Most of the proponents of religion have overtime argued that religion plays a fundamental role in the existence of the universe and that is therein. Religion plays the role of answering pertinent questions in life that would otherwise not be answered. For example, religion answers the origin of the entire universe and all that is in it. Religion also offers solace to mankind especially when in problems. Christianity, for example, preaches and encourages people suffering in their own different ways. They are told to be strong and not faint because of the life after death. In addition to this, religion defines the basic standards that should be followed so that peaceful coexistence between all the inhabitants of the universe. 

Over the time there is evidence to show that religion has been abused by those perceived to occupy big roles in the religious spectrum. They have abused the very essence of religion and in this regard harmed the true value of hegemony they enjoy in society.  Theoretically speaking, there are great scholars who indulged into the subject matter "religion" and sought to understand its role in the development of humanity. Karl Marx is one of the big minds that took their time to scrutinize religion. Marx saw religion as the "opium" where the poor were denied their rights and taken advantage of by the rich and those in power. To him religion offers an avenue where economic injustices can take place. He further argues that, the poor are "conned" of the little they have and are told that that their poor and deplorable status are in a big way justified so long as they remain in the religion .

The above implication of Marx is evident in the society today where poor and desperate people seeking breakthrough in various circumstances people are told to "plant seeds" so as to have their challenges thwarted. Marx saw religion as a key social pillar that is built in economic and material certainty of real life. It came to being as result to the introduction of capitalism where every one thought for themselves and not for the good of all.

Religion is in all respects viewed as a symptom and not the actual disease facing humanity. In this regard, religion is thus a manifestation of the actual problem facing the world and not the problem it self. Proper solution can therefore be devised so that the oppression that results out of abuse of religion can be countered so that it can thus meet the original intention of the pioneers of its very essence.

When a group of people are organized and are put together then they will not always fight for the common good. Religion affects cultures of different societies negatively. With the freedom of worship in the country religion can easily cause conflicts. Some group of people might feel that they are not treated fairly and therefore causing a turmoil between religions in the country.

Scholars argue that this can be blamed on the ignorance of the people because they do not open there minds and respect others opinion.  War is another effect of a religion. Most crusades and even the catholic protestant war is an example of wars which are due to religion. Most proponents of religion believe that Religion is meant to unite people but instead it has been used to develop stereotypes and even create rifts and tensions amongst people. War in Iraq is believed to have been by religious forces.

Hate crimes is another example of a negative effect of religion. When for example the world trade centre was attacked the slams and majorly Arabs were at the centre. Some Americans and even people from other denominations thought that every Muslim is a terrorist. Many observers viewed the Ku Klux Klan which were extremist as another example of a group that practiced hate crime. The group which is religious has strong beliefs yet they lynched Black African American people. Organized religion always leads to ignorance which is the major cause of crimes. It is though sad that nations can use religion to hurt and abuse one another. It is sad that crimes come from religion when some of the fundamental basics ideas in religion are love and Religion has got negative effects on education as well.

Religion can be used to hinder education by discouraging examination of some issues like evolution. There are religious beliefs and cultures that do not value education and therefore hindering most children from achieving high standards in the society. Children in most occasions imitate there parents and therefore if the children do not see any driving force towards education then they will be discouraged. Religions have also been viewed as subjugating woman kind. Most religions belief that women should not be allowed to take part in leadership roles within the society, forbidden to hold power and even prevented from secular education.

For instance among Muslims women have a lot of restricted rights. This is due to superstitions among men. Women are therefore oppressed due to religion. Catholic for example is still yet to see a woman being elected a clergy who can rise to the position of a pope. Feminists have started to abandoned religion and even find new religious groups such as paganism, Satanism and Wicca which they find appealing.

According to Gregory S,  Religion has denied liberalists there rights. Some religions like Christianity and Islamic do not believe in homosexuality. These religions have got abusive and destructive beliefs when it comes to this. Most of the religious groups have rejected psychological and medical knowledge about sexuality and homosexuality. These religious groups are instead immoral in there attitudes and therefore causing hatred, bigotry and even.

Slave trade is traced to have been the brain child of Bishops and Monks of the time. It involved forceful transfer of labor from one country to another mainly Western Nations. Christian institutions invested large sum of many into this vice which interfered with human rights and therefore becoming largest slave owners.