Rather than paraphrase, let me just point you to one of the best articulated arguments that religion is harmful: 'End of Faith' by Sam Harris
Can be found on torrents (just saying)
I sometimes recommend Dawkins as "calm and thoughtful." I'm afraid you've reminded me that my own impartiality may have suffered too :)
As a minister, especially at UU, I can see how she was into the "love everybody" shtick. But isn't she open to seeing how religions are in fact causing harm, destroying lives? "Loving everybody" should also come to terms with putting an end to practices that hurt everybody, otherwise it's hypocrisy.
The End Of Faith by philosopher Sam Harris might be a suitable book for bringing home the lesson implied by my lecture in the previous paragraph - should she be inclined to read some more provocative literature.
>there are no legitimate religious terrorists, only terrorists, who fail to follow the teachings of their religion, or else misinterpret it.
Where are you coming up with this? Where does anybody come up with this. Have you read the Bible? How about the Koran or the hadiths? Religious people who show restraint and tolerance are the ones not following the teachings of their religion. Islam and Christianity both perpetrate and tolerate absolute bullshit including violence toward innocents. We need to all stop believing the TV when it tells us that Islam is a religion of peace. It's absolutely not. I recommend that you and madcaesar read some of Sam Harris' books.. Google him and listen to what he has to say.
Edit: quoting