Some people say that religion is flawed, meaning following a religion makes people bad or imperfect. People engage in violence, hatred, and bad behavior in the name of religion or as followers of a religion. This is certainly true and nobody can deny this because the evidence is over whelming. The problem is that people claim to be followers of religion, but they do not follow the basic principles of the religion. The Vedic religion is not flawed, people are flawed (bad or imperfect).
Vedic religions means religions which originate from India – Sanatan-Dharma, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism.
If one follows the Vedic religions and behaves badly, it’s because they are not following what the Vedic scriptures teach. Many Vedic followers concoct their own beliefs instead of following what the Vedic scriptures teach. Due to ignorance (lack of knowledge or improper understanding), or lack of intelligence, or personal ego, people make up their own beliefs, behave badly, and claim to be religious.
“…These four legs of powerful religion are truthfulness, mercy, austerity and charity.” (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 12.3.18)
Many Vedic religious people engage in all kinds of rituals (Deity worship, yagnas etc..) and austerities (fasting, visiting holy places, and chanting mantras), but they treat people badly. They don’t develop the basic qualities of truthfulness and mercy.
If a Sanatan-Dharma follower behaves badly it’s because they don’t follow the basic principles of religion as stated in the Bhagavad-Gita and Shrimad-Bhagavatam. The basic principle is to be truthful and be kind to everyone (mercy).
“One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities is very dear to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 12.13)
“There is nothing more sinful than untruthfulness. Because of this, mother earth once said, “I can bear any heavy thing except a person who is a liar.” (shrimad-Bhagavatam 8.20.4)
Based on the above verse, mother earth can tolerate atheists or meat eaters, but she cannot tolerate liars. So someone who is an atheist but truthful is far better than a religious person who lies. A meat eater who is truthful is far better than a vegetarian liar. This is the practical truth.
Conclusion
Always be truthful and treat everyone nicely (the first two pillars of Sanatan-Dharma religion). Then there is some meaning to perform rituals and austerities (another pillar of Sanatan-Dharma).