Moving with the times
There is a lot of criticism of religion, especially when it comes to how it handles modern global issues, such as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) rights. The church is often criticised for been old-fashioned.
As a Catholic, I believe Catholicism at its core teaches selflessness and giving one's life to others. We follow the golden rule - treat others the way you would like to be treated.
However, I do not always agree with what other Catholics say about issues such as LGBT rights.
It cannot be denied that people have done bad things in the name of religion. But the blame should not be placed on religion; it's people who distort and use religion for their own purposes.
Pope Francis, in his first year, has done a lot to change the image of Catholicism. He has encouraged more women to enter the church, and has said he will not judge homosexuals. This has frustrated some conservative people.
But the way religion is practised will always change with time and culture. The core values on which religions are based, however, will always remain the same.
It is normal for a religion to stay abreast of society, so I don't believe this should be resisted. We need to embrace modern religion and continue to search for the next step.