I think a lot of people just need a place to gather and feel steady, like a hypothetical neighbor who finds comfort in weekly services and charity drives. Sure, some groups misuse that, but I’m not sure the whole thing is more harm than good. I can’t really argue it better than that.

My opponent makes a fair point that some religious groups can turn controlling, and I honestly don't know how to answer that well. Still, imagine someone who mostly finds a quiet moral framework and community there; that seems to tip things toward good for me.

The practical thing is that if organized religion disappeared, a lot of soup kitchens and shelter volunteers would go with it, and that’s a real loss. My opponent makes a fair point that not everyone finds peace there, and I’m not sure how to argue back, but that gut feeling still stands.