Doesn't anyone realize religion is the opiate of the masses?

Question

Your belief is not the only belief. Someone elses beliefs might actually be the correct one. Or ...maybe they all are a coping mechanism designed to placate people in times of longing for meaning?
But is what you believe really worth presecuting or killing others?
Can any religion use a higher power to justify condemning any other human? If God created man doesn't that mean All man? Not just the one's who believe as you do!

Answer 1

i do respect others' beliefs. however, the fact is that there are those in this world who do not believe as you and i, that other people have a right to believe as they choose. which in itself would not be a problem, except that this same group of people would like nothing better than to take over the world.

i'm going to quote something for you:

Islamic Law and Zimmis

Muslim Muftis (legal authorities) agree that the contract of the Zimmis should be offered primarily to the People of the Book, that is, Christians and Jews, then to the Magis or Zoroastrians. However, they disagree on whether any contract should be signed with other groups such as communists or atheists. The Hanbalites and the Shafi`ites believe that no contract should be made with the ungodly or those who do not believe in the supreme God. Hanifites and Malikites affirm that the Jizya may be accepted from all infidels regardless of their beliefs and faith in God. Abu Hanifa, however, did not want pagan Arabs to have this option because they are the people of the Prophet. They. must be given only two options: accept Islam or be killed.

The Jizya (tribute)

Jizya literally means penalty. It is a protection tax levied on non-Muslims living under Islamic regimes, confirming their legal status. Mawdudi states that "the acceptance of the Jizya establishes the sanctity of their lives and property, and thereafter neither the Islamic state, nor the Muslim public have any right to violate their property, honor or liberty." Paying the Jizya is a symbol of humiliation and submission because Zimmis are not regarded as citizens of the Islamic state although they are, in most cases, natives to the country.

Such an attitude alienates the Zimmis from being an essential part of the community. How can a Zimmi feel at home in his own land, among his own people, and with his own government, when he knows that the Jizya, which he pays, is a symbol of humiliation and submission? In his book The Islamic Law Pertaining to non-Muslims, Sheikh `Abdulla Mustafa Al-Muraghi indicates that the. Jizya can only be exempted from the Zimmi who becomes a Muslim or dies. The Shafi`i reiterates that the Jizya is not automatically put aside when the Zimmi embraces Islam. Exemption from the Jizya has become an incentive to encourage Zimmis to relinquish their faith and embrace Islam.

Sheik Najih Ibrahim Ibn Abdulla summarizes the purpose of the Jizya. He says, quoting Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, that the Jizya is enacted:

"...to spare the blood (of the Zimmis), to be a symbol of humiliation of the infidels and as an insult and punishment to them, and as the Shafi`ites indicate, the Jizya is offered in exchange for residing in an Islamic country." Thus Ibn Qayyim adds, "Since the entire religion belongs to God, it aims at humiliating ungodliness and its followers, and insulting them. Imposing the Jizya on the followers of ungodliness and oppressing them is required by God's religion. The Qur'anic text hints at this meaning when it says: `until they give the tribute by force with humiliation.' (Qur'an 9:29). What contradicts this is leaving the infidels to enjoy their might and practice their religion as they wish so that they would have power and authority."

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now try this:

According to Muslim jurists, the following legal ordinances must be enforced on Zimmis (Christians and Jews alike) who reside among Muslims:

1)
Zimmis are not allowed to build new churches, temples, or synagogues. They are allowed to renovate old churches or houses of worship provided they do not allow to add any new construction. "Old churches" are those which existed prior to Islamic conquests and are included in a peace accord by Muslims. Construction of any church, temple, or synagogue in the Arab Peninsula (Saudi Arabia) is prohibited. It is the land of the Prophet and only Islam should prevail there. Yet, Muslims, if they wish, are permitted to demolish all non-Muslim houses of worship in any land they conquer.

2)
Zimmis are not allowed to pray or read their sacred books out loud at home or in churches, lest Muslims hear their prayers.

3)
Zimmis are not allowed to print their religious books or sell them in public places and markets. They are allowed to publish and sell them among their own people, in their churches and temples.

4)
Zimmis are not allowed to install the cross on their houses or churches since it is a symbol of infidelity.

5)
Zimmis are not permitted to broadcast or display their ceremonial religious rituals on radio or television or to use the media or to publish any picture of their religious ceremonies in newspaper and magazines.

6)
Zimmis are not allowed to congregate in the streets during their religious festivals; rather, each must quietly make his way to his church or temple.

7)
Zimmis are not allowed to join the army unless there is indispensable need for them in which case they are not allowed to assume leadership positions but are considered mercenaries.

Answer 2

More opiates! More opiates! Pass the Soma please.

Even without religion humans will continue to kill each other. We do not need religion to serve as our justification; it just happens to be a convenient one. If we had not religion, then we we would just substitute some other ideology as a justification.

Religion is not the problem. But, I suppose it is easier to fault religion than to find the flaw endemic to the nature of humanity.

If people find comfort in religion, then good for them. Ridding the world of religion is not going to change much in terms of creating any sort of world peace.

I say this as an atheist.

Answer 3

I belive religions are just paths which lead to with same goal. Basic teachings of every religion is same.
But problem arises in how the teachings of the religions are interpreted.Most of the people dont have conception of what the religion is .They just follow the religion,just b'coz others are doning so.It's here when people with evil intents and bad motives take advantage.such people make others think what want them to think
I think religion should have been a private affair of each indivual.

Answer 4

No... yours or mine or anyones religion should not be used as an excuse to kill others. We should learn to respect and understand other religions as well as our own.. and try to live together. I just cannot believe that any religion.. any one at all, that is based on goodness.. would want all the killing and horror to go on in its name. people are the ones who are wrong.. not the religion. Peoples interpretation of their religions are wrong. I know my God, does not intend for me to kill everyone who is different from me... But as humans we are so slow to learn.. it is sad.

Answer 5

Religion is simply faith. To refer to it as opium, as Karl Marx did, it to say that people are intoxicated or deluded by it.
That only happens when it is manipulated by others in power , such as the Taliban or Ralph Reed, to their own ends and agenda.
Many enjoy their faith without falling victim to the fanaticisms of the power-hungry. It is a very good thing.

Answer 6

If religion was an opiate, everyone would be laying around stoned instead of going out to kill people. Marx had it wrong. Religion is crack for the masses, making them all rowdy and wanting to get into mischief.

Answer 7

Yes. It is also horrifying because Christians are also taught NOT TO QUESTION their beliefs or they may be punished by God. This is such blatant manipulation by their religion. It is terrifying to know that millions of people are taught NOT to think about what they are being told.

Answer 8

all religeon is, is mans idea of how to please God therefore they are all flawed .. if everyone loved God to the point of devoting their life to Him and loved their neibour as their self we wouldnt have any problems ... religeon gets into the mix then all of a sudden theres extra stuff to do to please God .. like killing off anyone that doesnt follow ur rituals the way u think they should ...

Answer 9

Karl Marx did.

Answer 10

Yes.