In a country that was founded on the basis of freedom of religion, even long before the creation of the Continental Congress and the revolutionary war, it's amusing that so many are so full of condemnation of religion.
It's interesting that so many are so misinformed, too.
Christ's divinity was not inserted into the Cannon in later years, and in fact was foretold long before the authorship of the various books of the New Testament. Isiah prophesied it, and Christ himself was crucified because he declared his own divinity and eternal nature. It was his statement that "Before Abraham, I am" drove the Jews in his time stark raving bonkers, and lead them to push for his execution. In fact, at the time of his pronouncement, the crowd attempted to stone him to death, for declaring himself to be divine. The actual translation of his statement is more revealing, however, in that it doesn't just mean "I am," but Yahweh, which more specifically, was a direct pronunciation of his own divinity. Literally, it means "Before Abraham, I AM," meaning "I am God."
Religion exists far beyond the issues of "control" and "power" and "money." Far to the opposite, religion exists to address an intrinsic need in the human psyche, which is as necessary as physical nourishment or exercise. It's as necessary as intellectual stimulation, and the human emotional needs. The spiritual is an element of humanity which can certainly be abused, but which has nothing to do with money, power, or control. It has to do with understanding one's own self, understanding one's own relationship to the world and universe, and coming to terms with the questions one may have about one's own existence.
The weak mind generally gives way to the redneck argument that all wars are fought because of religion (they are not, though one could say that most wars stem from economic roots). The weak mind declares that religion is a product of the weak mind; a circular and pointless observation. The truth is that religion and spirituality are every bit as valid components of intellect and thought as is learning of physics and chemistry.
The point of the sermon, as referenced by Emerson here, is directed to radical religion. Radical believers, fueled by personal perception and tempered by political motivation and aims, are not about religion at all. When one's religion tends to interfere with the rights, privileges, and lives of others, to adversely affect them and take away from their own, then religion becomes problematic and a blight.
Islam is not a religion of peace. Islam is not a religion of destruction either. The purpose behind Islam is to preach and recognize that there is one God, and all things are subject to that God. Many, most in fact, practitioners of Islam are peaceful, law abiding, and live their lives with no thought to the harm of others. Certain radical believers use Islam as a vehicle for political motivations; this is not religion at all, but politics dressed as something else.
One can scarcely condemn religion for political acts by religious dissidents. Religion is a valuable, necessary part of any society. Religion is cast aside by those too closed-minded to properly explore it's worth, though it's rapidly embraced in times of need; hence, the tried-and-true statement that "there are no athiests in foxholes."
To have the arrogance to reject God in times of plenty is a luxury afforded the soft-bodied and self-absorbed, but one not easily afforded those who fear, those who hunger, or those in need. Spirituality is no crime, nor is it an offense. It's a founding premise of our own nation, the center of the First Ammendment, and a hallmark of our society. We recognize, embrace, allow, and support people from all cultures, all religions, all beliefs, so long as they do not infringe on another.
Extremists, radicalists, terrorists, and criminals have no part of that freedom, but seek to destroy it. Rather than inventing idiotic put-downs for recognized institutions of society, try to open up a bit and learn. You might be surprised at what you don't know.