"Religion states that ignorance will lead to bliss". Did you read that in the bible? I thought it was a quote from someone who MUSTA been joking when they said it and some fool took them seriously. The bible says 'I didn't make you fools' (duh, we were given minds). The themes of your observations on 'religion' seem all to be ascribed to a particular kind of church (some of whose former ascribers share the same complaints). I think that's probably why the Reform got under way when folks learned how to read for themselves and find out what was REALLY written. Why WOULDN'T they have an argument with the passages of 'hey, don't cause stumbling blocks to folks trying to learn about God' and 'leave the folks alone, don't persecute them' (admittedly, i heavily paraphrase here, the words seemed pretty frank to me). The bible does mention, too, there are some folks that just KNOW good stuff without being preached it, and God weighs hearts. interesting stuff, to be sure.