The decline of religion

The Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh 

"Should the lamp of religion be obscured," explained Bahá’u’lláh, "chaos and confusion will ensue, and the lights of fairness and justice, of tranquility and peace cease to shine."
From the perspective of the Bahá’í teachings, the abuses carried out in the name of religion and the various forms of prejudice, superstition, dogma, exclusivity, and irrationality that have become entrenched in religious thought and practice prevent religion from bringing to bear the healing influence and society-building power it possesses.
 Beyond these manifestations of the corruption of religion are the acts of terror and violence heinously carried out in, of all things, the name of God. Such acts have left a grotesque scar on the consciousness of humanity and distorted the concept of religion in the minds of countless people, turning many away from it altogether.

The decline of religion