Who here thinks religion is a tool to control the masses?

Answer 1

Everyone except the controlled masses.

Answer 2

It can be a tool to control the masses, but doesn't have to be. It should also be noted that the Communist religion substitute was a tool to control the masses maybe worse than any religion could be.

Answer 3

It depends on which religion.

Paganism isn't a socially structuring religion, and some branches of it, such as the Discordians are anything but controlled.

Christianity and Islam obviously strive to control the masses, and often create tremendous polarization between individual sects. Christianity, under the guise of "spreading the good news" is simply an attempt to control the world. The ultimate "destiny" of Christianity is a world ruled by Christ. The Inquisition, the Witch trials, the slaughter of the Native Americans and fostering of their young ... all of this is demonstrative of the Christian desire to evangelize the world. One Baptist church in Bucks Harbor, ME has a sign over the door as you are leaving that says "You are now entering the missionary field".

Christians might state that the spread of Christianity and control are two different things, but Christianity has a particular set of morals, and expect all to adhere to it. By definition, that is control.

I only know Christianity and Paganism, so I can't speak to other religions, but that's what I see.

Answer 4

Neither. ask your self this query: does faith administration you, or do you administration faith? Your reaction could be "neither", and theists might respond the comparable. The Pope would say "do not use condoms", yet whilst the state does not outlaw condoms, the Pope truly has no administration. In a famous secular state, politicians, the media, and significant companies have a miles better administration over the lots. Even in the middle a while, the church mandatory the secular government to accomplish the relatively administration. If faith disappeared fullyyt in one day, you will nevertheless have the bare power of the state controlling the lots.

Answer 5

Yes it is a tool to control the masses. However that is only what the rulers and their clergy cohorts are doing with it. The problem with religion is the people. When people are led to commit horrific crimes by their leaders through their religions it isn't of God. Its a little more complicated than you have been led to believe. Investigate for your self. Start here:

Answer 6

SOME DO AND SOME DON'T. See Galatians 5

13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature[a]; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

Answer 7

I really don't think so; people pick up on religion either through family or through some life-changing-conversion-event-thingy.

As a Christian, I don't believe that my faith is a "religion" because there aren't any rigid rules to follow other than the Ten Commandments. Plus, religion involves man trying to save himself while Christianity is when God reaches down to save man.

Answer 8

It may be true to some extent for religions with a hierarchical set-up like graded positions of religious elders. However, there are religions that have elders by respect but not part of any official hierarchy. So I believe your statement does not apply to all faiths.

Answer 9

Every religion has repeatedly been used to control its membership. Not all religions have strong sway over "the masses," however.

Answer 10

I think that RELIGION IS A TOOL TO CONTROL THE 'INNOCENT' MASSES!