REading this, I find myself thinking of two courageous men, one in my father's family, one in my mother's, who believed that God hated slavery, and put their carreers, and possibly their lives on the line for their beliefs.
Religion, like science, or law can be a force for good or evil, depending on the person.
Jimmy Carter is a decent man. Whether his faith makes him a decent man, or not is a question open to discussion.
My belief that God does not want me to put sugar in Mr Brush's gas tank is keeping Mr. Brush's car going. Faith as a positive force.