“You may call it a violation of women’s rights when we publicly stone or flog them for committing adultery because they conflict with your democratic principles,” he said, adding: “[But] I represent Allah, and you represent Satan.”
Satan has a far better human rights record, so yeah, I'm with him on this one.
I disagree. Religion is the medium. The true disease is narcissism and psychopathy on one end, and apathy on the other. Individuals with considerable traits of either/both use religion to gain power and manipulate others to further their Machiavellian goals, just like they use any system that concentrates power and control. Others either tolerate, embrace, or even encourage it.