Is religion a means of controlling the weak minded population by small groups of corrupt villains?

Answer 1

It has been for most of human history. However, religion actually began when people were afraid and needed an answer but didn't have one.

"Wh-wh-why is the sun disappearing, mommy?"

"Uh...uh...the sun is angry dear! We need to make it happy again."

"How, mommy?

"Uh...ble...um...with a sacrifice!"

Answer 2

Are you one of those people that believes humans and all life for that matter were created by some cosmic accident? If so look in the mirror if you really want to see a weak minded individual. He'll be staring back at you.
Otherwise consider the obvious. If it takes ingredients to make anything where did the first ingredients come from?
Now if you can make that leap and agree that some being beyond human comprehension created all of this. How hard is it to imagine that if you were them wouldn't you want to experience the life you created from a personal perspective? (Jesus, Buddha, Allah)
Humans are fallible when it comes to recording history. And religions are flawed because they're based on beliefs as opposed to ideas. But argue their existance you can not.

Answer 3

All over the world people from time immemorial have been under the belief that apart from physical world in which we live, there has been extraneous force which is in the control of all matters & lives in cosmos. awakening of this concept is spirituality. There have been numerous groups depending on place & time where people have interpreted this as Religion. Just because some small men misinterpret religion,whom you may brand as villians,we cannot bring down the sacred concept.Even strong men become weak when they try to understand spirituality in true perspective, not to speak of weak persons.

Answer 4

Not the most original question, but I'll have a go anyway...

I can see that in times gone by it was easy to be religious. Everyone was, so weakminded people just went along with the crowd. But now, people who decide they believe in something have to stand up for themselves and are asked to justify themselves constantly. If I was weaker minded I wouldn't have been able to think about difficult questions myself and I would probably ignore any spiritual feelings I had. Contrary to what you might think, being religious isn't an easy life!

Answer 5

well i'm sorry to say but you just called most of the world weak minded becuase most of the world has a religion(faith).

You really have to understand religion's history before you judge it like this. yes it might seem like your question is true but those people who seem weak minded aren't really weak minded there are just kind hearted and are good people. Everyone knows that its the good people that get taken advantage of by the bad ones. Just becuase it seems like someone lacks the intelligence to fight back doesn't mean their not intelligent. maybe they are so strong in faith that they can hold out through the bad times without trying to fight back.

Religion is faith. faith is like asking yourself if you are in a lighted room and open a door to a pitch black room. do you have faith that there will be solid ground for you to walk upon if you step forward or do you believe you will fall to your death?

Answer 6

Possibly by some religions, but I doubt it for the most part.

Answer 7

Why is it considered weak minded to have faith? Why is it weak minded to believe there is a God and an afterlife?

Answer 8

exactly that and they are the freemason´s elite and the illuminati ,who are doing it ,Headed by the Bilderberg group , the round table and the society of Rome(vatican)
the illuminati have been at it for for 6000 years

from two directions ,Religion and Politics(Finance)

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtUBQg2IIsuA.pc3txCk3Bzsy6IX?qid=20060630230357AAG3eqw

Answer 9

Yes, there may be many who use the guise of religion to control others.

Have you also asked the question in relation to non-religion, e.g. media, governments, scientists - in my opinion they also try and control other people through various subtle means - have you noticed this at all or are you so taken in by them that you now consider them your saviours and religion as some sort of bad other guy?

Ask yourself the question, is this all there is to life - certainly from the standpoint of the media, governments, economists and scientists this one life is all there is and nothing more. If this one life is all there is and life just happened by chance and it is survival of the fittest, then why are so many people getting hot and bothered by what others believe in and whether they get taken in or not? After all, a maximum of 100 years and it will be over for them. Why don't you just go on and live your life? The fittest surely would carry on and the weakest would get eliminated?

Have you truly been satisfied with Governments, politics, economics and have they truly delivered everything for you? You must be one of the elite lucky few who would really think they have. If governments did deliver what they promised then why do governments have to change so frequently? How soon is it that promises of lower taxation is met by increases of taxes/levies on other items? The scientists too promise of big discoveries around the corner but where are the paperless offices, extra leisure time, drastic reduction in diseases? The scientists have certainly managed to control the symptoms of illness but they haven't managed to find a cure for most of the diseases - is this because there is money to be made by people needing medicine more frequently?

Why do the big corporations and media have to bombard you constantly with advertisement to buy somethings, even things you could do well without? Are these not just trying to control the few weak minded into spending money they may not be able to afford?

The Hindu scriptures says that the soul has been placed into this material world due to its desire to be the lord and master or to enjoy separately from God. Therefore we can see all around us everyone trying to gain control over whatever they can possilby get their hands on - whether it just be family, friends, or wider into society, country etc.
A husband likes to exercise control over the wife and vice a versa, a father likes to control the child and the child sooner or later will try to gain control or separate so they can gain control over something else.

It is foolish to think that it is only religion, especially without thinking how others use whatever means are available to control others. Take the islamic clerics who encourage suicide bombers - do you think they truly believe what they are teaching others? Isn't the first rule to practice what you preach? How many of these charismatic clerics have practiced what they are preaching hundred and maybe thousands? Why if it is so desirable to be a martyr that they don't become one themselves?

The islamic terrorists example maybe is a bit obvious and hopefully many educated and thinking people will not fall into this trap but there are many subtle ways of controlling others that through religion - the trick is in how to recognise them.

The Bhagavad-Gita gives guidance on how to recognise someone who claims to follow religion and how not to be taken in by bogus teachers/gurus. The problem is that not people actually want to read for themselves and try to understand. This is why so many get taken in by various control methods whether religious or otherwise. Take the example of fanatic sport supporters - what is it they think they gain by any team winning - instead they spend large amounts of money following the team and buying various merchandise - are these not being taken in because they can't think for themselves?

Many of course turn to religion to sort out their immediate problems or to see if God will bless them with riches and beauty and popularity etc. The Bhagavad-Gita says that if you look for cheap tricks then you will quickly find those who are themselves very cheap and ready to fleece you. God is not some vending machine where you simply put in some prayers and get quick fixes/blessings.

Unless people start looking at life with a different perspective then they will be taken in by all sorts of allurements - whether they be promises of lower taxation, geat rich quick schemes, self-improvements schemes etc.

The Bhagavd-Gita states that the mind can be ones greatest friend and also ones greatest enemy. If one cannot control the mind then it becomes ones greatest enemy. An uncontrolled mind leads one onto overspending, addiction to substances or even acceptance by others, jealousy, anger etc.

There is a way to distinguish the truth and from bogus pretenders to real guides.

Answer 10

I totally agree, most of the religious leaders seem to be paedophiles! That's about as low as it can get!

Answer 11

It certainly has been in the past, but it's not always like that. All and nons are never reality based.