Is religion a world-wide, political crime syndicate? Discuss...?

Question

I refer here to organised religion (eg, the Church) and NOT the inidividual followers, eg, the Christians. So please do not label me intolerant, uneducated or anything else along these lines.

Think of the evidence in support of this claim (note: the claim is not my own but was featured in a University campus publication). Religion of old was used to control the uneducated masses; obedience was born from a fear of hell and a longing for heaven. Money was given to the Church, and still is, on a regular basis. Rival religions are pushed out, gangland style, albiet on a much larger scale...

...the quote goes on, but I have compressed it here for easier viewing. I do not know what to make of it, what do you think?

Answer 1

Hobbes for one was a proponent of this to control the masses. Some, not all, people think like that. That is life.

However, most people are religious now, by choice. There is no coersion. Religion meets a deep human need.

Answer 2

"Are politicians..." ;)
It's a matter of points of view, you know. And don't forget that, even though what you say looks very much like the truth...

1) Religion of old, just like religion of today, is simply a political force like others - though probably the one political force with the most supporters worldwide. Yes, it was a way of controlling the uneducated masses (how else would you have controlled them? The masses have to be controlled somehow...), and the church had enormous power in eg. medieval Europe, making emperors crawl on their knees (if there is any truth in that Canossa story), but then again, it was also the church that created hospitals, schools and stuff, and I don't think that in exercising its power it was any worse than other political forces of the era (totally subjective opinion and not based on detailed studies of the Middle Ages). At least it could give people spiritual support. In a modern context, the church gives the same to some (there must be a reason why the pope can fill St Peter's Square), and I guess it is only seen as a "world-wide, political crime syndicate" because you, enlightened man of the 21th century, don't see it as a legitimate political force. Actually what politicians do is very similar to what priests do - preach. Just analyse some political speeches before elections, and see how "much" sense they make, and how they act on emotions rather than the mind - sometimes even promising something like heaven and hell. I myself got one of those letters before the last elections here in "far, far away". Maybe once in your life you have felt thoroughly duped by politicians you voted for ;)

2) Maybe I am naive, but I do believe that the majority of those who run this alleged "crime syndicate" do it out of true belief, and not primarily for any sort of material benefit. Maybe you can label them as the religious mafia, but if so, they are a benevolent mafia.

My very subjective 2 cents.

Answer 3

I don't really agree with your premise, although the Mafia has ties to Catholocism and has for a long time.
I think that there are many educated people who believe in a religion and know it's not used to control them. This is because I believe that in difficult times, we need something to fall back on that gives us comfort and hope. There is nothing else on this earth that does.

The options would be turning to drugs, alcohol, or a cult, or some other destructive behavior.

Actually government can fit into your definition of a political crime syndicate, It's used for social control and many people fear it because of the laws they make. Money is given to it and still is by lobbyists and groups who shouldn't be supporting it for their own means.

There is often struggle between two parties without the hope of compromise or working together, because they cannot agree on which agenda to push. Or why they should eliminate their own agendas and work for the constituents who put them there in the first place.
Corruption exists in all levels of government and voters decide who gets to do the corruption next.

Answer 4

True religion cannot be a political crime syndicate but for many years people with evil minds have used religion for selfishness and a means to personal gains which is very negative. Religion exists to guide our actions and a means to understanding the ultimate truth which is God. Though they are different, but all teachings leads to obedience to God and love to others.

At the same time Religion cannot exist without its followers, and these followers may take actions that put the church's beliefs into question. What you said to have been documented in the University publication may not reflect the real understanding of religion but opinions. Religion is well understood when you believe in it and can be confusing when you don't understand it.

Answer 5

I think religion all religion started out with good intentons.But it was quickly perverted into a vehicle for mass control and to further the agendas of greedy people.It's a shame that the true beneficial messages of religions have been lost.Now it seems religions are being used as excuses to also commit horrible crimes.It's really a shame cause I'm sure the original messages were positive ones full of hope.

Answer 6

It's true, because this is human nature. Even Governments act as a gang of sorts. Taxes are a legalized from of extortion, being that if you don't pay them then you will go to jail. All institution act in ways to perpetuate them selves, and by doing so they must exploit the ones in which they claim to help and get rid of any competing institution that may threaten their existence. Many ways of doing this with force, financially or simply convincing other that they are the ones that have their best interest at heart.

Answer 7

I fully agree with this statement, and all ways have. Religion was a creation of man, to control man. Think about it. People will fight for their leader if they are tolled it is for a religious causes. People will kill for their beliefs. It is a way of manipulation the masses, and the day that the leaders of the world discovered this all those centuries ago the berth of government controlled commercial religion was born..

Answer 8

Jesus would be totally ticked at the way man has distorted His truths for his ( man's) less than honorable intentions, and that's my problem with the world's take on religion. Distortions and misrepresentations all with one thing in mind- money and control.

Answer 9

Yeah, at one time (e.g. Medieval Catholic Britain, The Crusades). Not no more, don't think so. I mean we even allow Scientology & Jesus Camps etc.! Unless your talking about Extremism...

Answer 10

THE TRUE CHURCH preaches the trinity...some are false religions...