Mrrzy,
The "awful ideas" to which I referred were the twaddle in this very thread, Keith, and you know it.

Sorry but I really did not recognise any. Please just remind us of a couple.

Steve,
The "right kind of behaviour," as defined by the organised religions, is intended to keep and control the flock.

Just another assertion, but most groups have some kind of rules to preserve the continuity of the group.

It is patently absurd to regard belief in an afterlife, as defined by religions, as harmless.

just another assertion that I do not accept.

Jim,
No Keith - life after death it totally illogical and beyond any practical evidence
If you have an insight into it, it is your job to prove it

Why does only one side need proof?
There is no proof, but quite a lot of evidence, e.g. ghost sightings, spirit messages, out of body experiences, near death experiences, etc.

Not proof. Not even very convincing, but still evidence.

Religion has been used as a blunt instrument of control for time immemorial

So has every religion, but back then religion was ubiquitous. That does not mean that everything bad was the fault of religion. The sword was a sharp "instrument of control," and very effective too.