Atheists/Agnostics: Is Religion truly to blame for any of humanities woes?

ALL HUMANS are prone to violence...Nevertheless, it makes more sense to fight for self-defense and / or resources than kill and die in the name of beliefs and ideas. Think about it. Those who have said "thou shall not kill, thou shall not steal" have created the greatest sources of bloodshed and theft throughout history. Religion is a tool that some (if not most) people need in order to live without being overwhelmed by the constant environmental pressure of the simple act of living on this planet. It is a primitive way of interpreting and understanding reality. It helps people deal with their lives and their world. But, like you said with the sword example, it is used by others as a tool for control, domination, manipulation and the search for power. Religion changes its purpose once it stops being a positive personal experience. If we got rid of religion (which we probably won't), we'd still fight for resources and / or self- defense, or to defend ideas that will have substituted religion.