Is the most harmful religion also the most authentic religion?

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29. It's subjective, but I'll make a feeble attempt at defining "authentic religion".

Define "authentic," please.

Of course, since I'm an atheist, my definition may be suspect. (In reality, I'm just taking my definition of "authentic atheism" and changing a few words, so don't expect too much...lol.)

Unfortunately, I won't define "authentic" (just "authentic religion&quot , and in fact, I will even use the word "authentic" in my definition. Oh, well...it's a value judgment, anyway.

Authentic religion is that religion that speaks authentically (yeah, self referential...I know) to the human condition, helps to give our lives meaning, and which challenges us to better ourselves and our surrounding environment.

In essence, authentic religion is religion at its best.

That authentic religion would be deemed harmful and/or dangerous to some (especially those in positions of power) seems almost axiomatic to me, considering its tendency to challenge, which sets it apart from more domesticated versions of religion, which may even be seen as useful to those same folks.

I voted (1) in this poll, since in my experience "authentic religion" has traditionally been deemed as dangerous and harmful because of its tendency to challenge the status quo.