Religion isn't a complication. Quite the opposite, it's a simplification. It's a lot easier to believe a collection of creation myths than make the effort actually to learn why life and the cosmos exist.
Yes and no. The problem I have with religion is that it limits education, especially the Abrahamic religions. When a question is come across that seems to have no answer, like "the origins of life", Abrahamic religions tend to do a "God did it" and then stop looking for the actual answer, because they have the answer, God. It's these limitations that bother me the most.
As far as actually complicating life, they can, by placing ridiculous rules on life. Gays and lesbians are examples of this process. In the not so long distant past it was inter-racial relationships, and prejudices against people that are not in agreement with this group or that beliefs. This is the reason many people came to the Americas and then started suppressing people, for religion, here as they were suppressed in Europe. Virginia is a good example, they outlawed certain religions and persecuted them, to where the Federal government had to step in and stop it. So yes it can, but is not always.
Religion, pure bunk, obfuscates life. To think that such primitive Bronze Age myths still hold sway over so many is disappointing, until you look at the declining influence of religion.
Not with a bang but with a whimper.
Oh yes! It causes way more problems than it solves (if it even solves any at all).
No, True religion gives people comfort,hope and a future. Romans 15:4. False religion causes confusion, unhappiness and a life without purpose.
Nah---I find it gives form and meaning to an already great life.
Even if the atheists were proven right tomorrow, I would continue my life as it is now.
I find Catholicism to provide an excellent blueprint for us civilized humans.
Religion gives meaning to our lives and hope when we're at a low point. Rather than complicate life faith can calm our cluttered minds.
"There is a sway, to the Yay and the Nay." - Darkmajinn
On one hand, it can break the simplest of minds down to the simplest of terms.
"Why is the sky blue?" - "God did it."
"Who made creation with all of it's beauty?" - "God did it."
Such a life requires very little mental prowess . . . Even those deeply religious "scientists" will have a starting point (Hypothesis) and an Ending point (God did it) . . . They partly use actual evidence and "God Filler" to get from one end to the other.
It gets complicated when the big questions pop up:
"Why do I have cancer?" - "God did it."
"Why did my loved one have to die?" - "God did it."
It is uncomplicated to say "Take the wheel Jesus!" . . . It gets complicated when it is obvious the "Vehicle of life" you are in is heading for a cliff . . .
False religion feeds on the inherent desire that we all have to worship. The confusion comes from satan's attempt at keeping people from knowing the truth. False religion works best with people that are not looking for true worship but instead are looking something that will allow them to do what they want and not what God requires. False religion is successful in separating the class of sheep that Jesus said will hear his voice. When what you call confusion has served it's purpose, those that are willing to use their free will properly will be allowed to be a part of God's original purpose to fill the paradise earth.