I believe most people don't usually "choose their religion". Of course, there are situations where a person may convert to another, marry into another, ect. ect. But, for the most part, the religion in which we follow is very much a result of what we have been taught to believe. What we believe in comes down to geographical luck. You'd more likely be Muslim if you were born in Iraq. You are more likely to be Christian/Catholic if you were born in the US.

When people hurt others based on their beliefs, I think there is something fundamentally wrong with them. This could apply to simply supporting the taking away of someone else's rights, to the taking away of someone else's life.

Personally, I cannot quite fathom a world without religion. It has been a part of us since the beginning of time, and I don't think we will leave this part of us for a long time more.

But, in the same light, I do think humans are capable of great things without faith. Morality, emotions such as empathy, are not at all created by religion. I consider myself a Humanist. Being so, I tend to feel very protective of other humans and will act to protect the rights and lives of others.

Great thoughts, thanks for sharing!!