I think the distinction needs to be made between religion, a...

I think the distinction needs to be made between religion, a person and their relationship with their God and organised religion where religious leaders dictate rights and laws on their followers. As God has been used by people in religious leadership to pursue their own agendas.

I think the concept of consequences for ones actions as is the core of pretty much all religions is an important one and the creation of the concept was meant to be good guiding influence but as I said this has been used and warped for the purposes of power.

To clarify my own position. I do believe in a creator as human existence is just too bizarre to exist without one. I disagree however with the concept of an interventionist God as it is pretty obvious with state of the world. I do not identify with any organised religions for the reasons stated above.