Amos-

I suspect we're just talking semantics here, but my view would be that in both cases you cite, religion itself is not abuse--but it is being abused. It is also possible, it seems, for the individual himself or herself to abuse religion. Religion itself is not to blame, but rather the use to which it is put. Similarly patriotism, socialism--or even secularism--all of which can be and have been abused.

For instance, I would say that advocating either "stamping out" religion or "re-educating'' away from it is abuse of secularism--and nothing a rational person would promote.

It is up first to each family and then to each individual how they look at religion--and nobody should seek to coerce anybody else---which is clearly implied by "stamping out" or "re-education"-either towards or away from religion.