Religion is a negative influence in the world. Religion is the cause of a majority of conflicts in the world. Why? The irony is the more religious an individual is, the more likely he is to favor the use of violence (before someone cries that this is an "anti-Islam" statement I will say this trend can be seen in several other religions as well). How can this be if religion teach peace? Religion is the most divisive force on the planet and it is the engine of numerous conflicts.