Quote from traderwann:
I don't call myself a Christian, but I've actually read parts of scripture. What I learned is that 99% of those criticizing scripture have not read any of it, much of it, know any historical context and generally are quite ignorant. They wouldn't even know the outline of an Introduction to Religions 101 course, let alone be able to honestly participate in a class discussion. I'm speaking from some experience having said some of those things myself in the past.
Perhaps there isn't anything about religion itself to be against, but more specifically the twisting and manipulation of it.
For example, any tool can be used for good or evil. A knife, a torch, a vehicle and yes scripture as well. The question becomes, is the person doing evil using the tool properly? For its intended purpose? If not, that doesn't make the tool (religion) bad, it makes misusing that tool bad!
Let the cognitive dissonance begin.