2007-06-07 05:24:31 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The origins of religion are lost in the dim past. I'd guess it simply started as tribal elders inventing explanations for why things were as they were, just to reassure their people that it was under control. Once you've got this mythical sky-father idea implanted, it becomes easier to get people to do what you want if you claim to be passing on orders from Him.
Most people still seem to like the idea of a god, perhaps as an extension of the security of parental protection into adulthood. One downside of this is that the power-hungry have always known that you can quite literally "Lord" it over people by aligning yourself with their god concept. In tribal societies, and in theocratic or mono-religious societies, this can be quite pernicious. In modern pluralistic societies, anyone with the will and wit to do so can simply walk away. Unfortunately, many people really want someone to tell them what to do, and religious leaders are still happy to accept the job.
2007-06-07 05:51:31 · answer #1 · answered by injanier 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Human Beings.
2007-06-07 12:29:58 · answer #2 · answered by wilfredo a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we don't know. some concept of say an earth mother has been around since the dawn of humanity. Organized Religion, not the god itself, however was created to control people.
2007-06-07 12:29:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What makes you think that people want to control you? Are you paranoid, or do you just have an over inflated sense of your own self importance?
The atheist argument that the Apostles of Jesus were making up myths in order to gain control of people, or for wealth or power, makes no sense. Paul lost his influence, position, and power when he converted TO an unpopular minority sect (Christianity), FROM a popular majority one (Orthodox Judaism had more followers at the time).
If the disciples were lying about Jesus coming back from the dead, then why didn't any of them recant their story while they were being tortured to death? Someone who KNEW that he was lying would surely have recanted his story in order to save his own life. Only one apostle -- John -- died a natural death, and we know that John was imprisoned and exiled for his story. It appears that the others were killed for their faith. Paul seems to have been tortured and imprisoned on several occasions for his story, and it eventually cost him his life.
How did they gain power or control over other people in their lifetime?
2007-06-07 12:36:59 · answer #4 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God doesen't control! he loves.
God Bless
2007-06-07 12:42:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋