Surely religion has made things a lot easier for self-appointed ruling classes over the years, including monarchies and churches, especially since the only power those with power really have over anyone is the threat of death; with religion there's a choice between heaven and hell - serve your country/leader/church like a good sheep and go to heaven.
2007-03-21 11:56:51 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For those of you who have trouble understanding "religion", it's a general term that does not refer to any single particular faith-based practice. Insert "All religions" if it's less confusing.
2007-03-21 12:23:07 · update #1
It's my opinion that 'god belief' was an originally just an evolutionary construct that served as a primitive form of government with "God" as the law giver. Once it became "Organized Religion" it evolved into something that simply was used to control the masses. It was taken over rather quickly by people seeking power. Those became the first religious elitist. And from that point most of us know the rest of the story.
I really think that's quite a plausible theory.
2007-03-21 12:35:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
What religion are you referring to? Yes dogmas have been set in place to help control people. Not all religions have though. It is also important to remember that it is people who use the doctrines of the religion to control people. There are also people of faith so strong, they don't follow like sheep for some grand priest who says they should. Paganism is making a comeback because many of the Pagan paths refuse to believe they need another person to contact "god" on their behalf.
Finally I wish to say there is a difference between religion and spirituality. Religion is a set way of how to contact a deity. Spirituality is the relationship with the deity. A person can have their religious beliefs exploited far easier than their spirituality. The stronger the faith, the harder it is to exploit a person that way.
2007-03-21 12:18:04 · answer #2 · answered by Moonsilk 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Phoseif you may be on to something. What if I decided I liked beef and pork, and wanted more beef and pork for myself and less for others, then out of selfish greed, told people that cows were sacred and pigs were dirty so don't eat them, just so I could have more beef and pork around for my own use? Makes more sense that God telling you to abstain from meat on Friday or altogether for that matter don't it.
It's pretty clear that most organized religion's are exactly that, tools used to control or at least influence the masses.
2007-03-21 12:06:51 · answer #3 · answered by blogbaba 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some of you guys are pretty dumb, come on if anything the bible is to show compassion to each humans. How is showing compassion to control the masses?
It's the difference between being an animal or human. Humans have something that animals will never have, and that's the feeling of love and compassion.
2014-04-20 16:33:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Only if it's politically motivated.
Although 'religion' means 'Back to slavery', the object of any true religion is not to control anyone but to be controlled by the God. Thus the term in Islam "submission'.
'Submission' as quoted in Islam, is personal; an act of free will which is not motivated by any worldly influences.
2007-03-21 12:09:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
As a Christian, I know religion is a tool to control the masses. Faith and religion are two different things, just so you know. Christianity is a faith, the denominations (Catholism, Baptist, Luthern, Angelican, etc) underneath are considered religions. Along with Islam, Judaism, Buddism, etc...those are also religions.
You do not go to heaven by serving your country/leader/church!! That's is a lie.
The only way:
John 14:6-7
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Ephesians 2:1-10
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2007-03-21 16:53:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i believe it can be used as a tool. unfortunately, faith is a dangerous thing to have, because those with enough power, money and influence can conspire to corrupt it and bend it to their ends. but people of true faith know to ignore such influences - what goes on in your life is between you and the God you believe in, and no one else has anything to say about it; no Priest, no Rabbi, no Imam, and certainly no secular leader.
i just wish everyone would realize that. :(
2007-03-21 12:08:47 · answer #7 · answered by Jan F 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations. You have figured out the secret that I have known since I was four and learned about religion.
It was made to conform people. It is a dictatorship.
BUT(!) people should still be able to practice it if they want to. But if they try to force it on me, watch out, because I'm known as the "Crazy Opinionated B¡tch" in my school. I can, and will argue for hours on end without stopping. I would be great at filibusters in Senate! If I'm passionate about a topic, watch out, cause if you insult me for it, you will never forget it.
2007-03-21 12:13:49 · answer #8 · answered by Lina 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
That's a main theory. Except the "Heaven/Hell" part is fiction.
“Religion is just mind control” -- George Carlin.
2007-03-21 12:05:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes I stumbled over this quote the other day you might find interesting
It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.
By GEORGE WASHINGTON
Love & Blessings
Milly
2007-03-21 12:08:32 · answer #10 · answered by milly_1963 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋