I believe that religion can be a powerful force for good in the world, but it can also be a source of hate and war, i think that we should focus on our shared humanity and common values, such as peace, compassion, and understanding, when we focus on what unites us, rather than what divides us, we can build a better world for all.
Yes, but it will be always easier to see the differences and the flaws of our neighbors than our own, there are many examples of it, actually I could bet you have dealt with people who are like that.
It also easier to use religion for the sake of own ambition instead of the common good. I am not from the United States, but I have got friends there, some of them tell the priests can be quite exclusionary against people of all sorts and racism is embedded with society, even within the church.
I won't even mention of religion is misused for the creation of cults, and the lethal outcome many of them can have for the gullible people who join them seeking for peace.