'Defending One's Religion': The New Evil - A Few Thoughts

Recently, a friend of mine, Malachi Lopez Mendes, sent in a few comments in response to my previous blog. They are so thought-provoking, that it is worthwhile sharing them:

• An interesting thought is that the cosmos does not have gods. Men find gods to explain what they do not know or to seek solace when they cannot find it in themselves.
• The creator has also created animals where they kill each other routinely. We do not consider that incorrect. Do we? What makes us better than animals in the justice of the Creator?
• Very true is the fact that the All-Knowing, All-Powerful Supreme Being needs no protection from mere pitiful words and / or images from us mere no-consequence mortals. So why do we fight?
• I think that while this (Each has taken to wearing one's religion on one's sleeve, and banishing its teachings from their heart) is true, there is also a very large population that is moving away from it. These people see the shame that the religious scramble has become and are seeking either other religions or shunning religion all together as atheists. This is the probably the silver lining to the bloodbath?
• (Pray, tell me, does that not take us away from what the purpose of religion is supposed to be?) This question i have expolored in depth. What is the supposed purpose? Do any of the scriptures state the purpose of religion itself? (and here i do not mean faith) In my view religion is a drug. What do u think?

These are very thought-provoking, & my sincere request is to think on them...

Thanks, Malachi!