I remember watching the video you linked. I actually have to disagree with League of Reason in some regards.
One of them mentioned that it was like saying a drunk is happier than a sober man, which is not necessarily true, and I agree with this. In the same regard, a sober man is not necessarily happier than a drunk man. It's just not comparable. You can be happy drunk as well as happy sober.
It is possible to be a responsible drunk, as much as it is possible to be a responsible theist. Some people get out of hand and do stupid things, while others stay in place, stay out of cars, and stay out off the political stage.
On an individual basis perhaps, but again if it goes beyond that it can become problematic. For instance if that mechanics children wanted to get into a field of work that would require the practical applications of the Big Bang theory, religion now puts them at a disadvantage and possibly at odds with their family.
This is very true, and unfortunate. However, there's also a chance the children will convert to atheism themselves, even if they aren't open about it to their family, or that they will remain theists and choose a field that does not clash with their religion.
Great things are seldom, if ever, perfect. Religion and the good it brings will come with problems. People love beer and alcohol, and they use alcohol as a way to socially connect to people. Of course it's possible to connect to people without bringing a cooler of beer or a bag of wine, but it does bring people together. Rather than telling people they shouldn't drink alcohol because of the obvious problems it may cause, I explain to people how they may drink alcohol, but remain responsible.
Of course, it's not that black and white. However, that's the best way I can explain my position and my approach to the problem.
Don't get me wrong. I believe it's important for atheists to challenge theists and their views. As much as it drives me crazy, and as much as I speak against it, I believe it's important for atheists to declare a type of "war" against theism.
So, to put it all in a nut shell, despite the problems religion causes, I support it. I would rather be in an ongoing struggle trying to eradicate the negatives of religion while preserving the positives, than to eradicate religion all together. You may think that this is nothing more than a waste of time, but if you look how much more open minded your average Christian is today than those from 200 years ago, you will see that we have made some progress. There are still powerful enemies against science and reason in politics, such as the Vatican, but again, I feel we can eradicate these problems while preserving the positives of religion.
