JWfacts - I really couldn't agree with you more on this. It seems that having a 'faith' is associated in people's minds with being 'good' or even being 'better' than a person who has no 'faith', in the religious sense.
And yet, religions can make ludicrous demands that are harmful in themselves to the practicer and even to others and no one will stand up and say that this is totally and completely wrong.
Ritual circumcision of baby boys is demanded by some of one faith and culture.
Ritual circumcision of girls is demanded by some of another faith and culture.
Jihad and martyrdom is praised by some faiths.
Dying for lack of blood transfusion is expected of some faiths.
I'm sure that we could go on with negative effects of faiths and religion and yet having 'faith' is still mistakenly viewed by some, who perhaps haven't even thought the question through, as a sign that this person is 'good' because they have a 'Faith'.
Shouldn't the question be, 'why does this person need to have a faith to be good? Can't they achieve that themselves?'
Faith is still mistakenly held up as a gold star achievement in many cultures.
Critical thinking is still not being employed by the masses.