Is religeon really a form of propoganda to make people do what you want them to do?

Question

I sit as a neutral atheist in this.

Answer 1

Well there's not much neutrality in me today so I'll give you my honest opinion. Yes, I believe that at first, gods were created by man as a way of explaining that which could not be explained. As time went on and people began worshiping these gods, the powers that be got it into their heads that by striking fear into the population at large they could easily control the masses. They still do.

As atheists we know that we can live moral, ethical lives not because we fear god, but because it's the right thing to do. I have encountered many people on this site who wonder how that can possibly be. These are the people who are so controlled by their religion that they no longer have the ability to think for themselves.

Answer 2

I highly doubt that religion started out as a social control tool, but it's certainly been used for such a purpose time and time again. Anything based on groups of people will end up being used for such a purpose.

A good example of this occurred in the 3rd X-Man movie (I'm sorry for the spoiler if anybody hasn't seen it, but you see the situation coming from a mile away if you've seen the previews). A group of mutants gathers to figure out a way to address their concerns over the cure, and Magneto shows up, soon organizing them into an army to bring about his vision of the world. It's not that the gathering and organization was a bad thing; they didn't come together to start a war. They just ended up being used for this purpose.

Answer 3

Well, not initially. We have to keep in mind that even many of the people who want to make other people do what they want are themselves religious. It seems that religion first arose as a way for people to better organize themselves and keep themselves working together rather than fighting each other, so it was not the goal of any particular people to use it as a tool for controlling other people. On the other hand, in recent years it has become evident that a number of less-than-moral governments find religion to be a useful tool to help for that purpose, probably because it tends to tell people not to question what they're told, which obviously any government wanting to make the world into 1984 would like.

Answer 4

While religion can be expolited and used as a form of propaganda, that's not to say all religion is.

For example, if you look at the basic paganism - there is little control that can be exerted over someone simply by giving them guidelines that tell them to love one another, respect nature and look after the environment. It is only when someone tries to take hold or control of this ''basic theory'' that it becomes an issue. Similarly, in Christianity, Jesus' basic message of love and kindness and morality would serve to do nothing but good when implimented world-wide, but when people become greedy and selfish and try to use it as a way to dominate and rule, it becomes dangerous.

Answer 5

Well, yes and no. You see, religion is like a form of politics regarding alternative sciences and metaphysics. It's just a way of grouping together people who believe the same thing, and usually a leader is chosen (as with politics, it is not necessarily chosen by the people). However, like politics, much corruption has happened, and in the modern world, it has gone away from its original purpose, so that now, it is a form of propaganda used to control people. That's one reason why I not only formed my own religion, but also my own political party which believes that a good way to go to the future is to fix the mistakes of the past; to essentially go back where doing so would be beneficial. Note that this is not Reactionism; they just want to go back, even if they don't need to.

Anyway, back to your question, religion is not supposed to be propaganda, but it is because of the people of power in religion.

Answer 6

I am a Christian and I guess it all depends what the Pastor's(preacher, reverend, any church leader of that particular congregation) motives are. You see all these big time preachers on tv that supposedly heal (no proof of that healing) and expect you to send thousands of dollars because "God wants you too." What is their motive? It's obviously money. But then you go to a small church like mine and the evangilist (not pastor b/c he isn't qualified to be one) preaches strictly from the new testament, and leaves it to the believer to ask for help in any area they feel. He doesn't follow up on thier behaviors. He doesn't shove anything down your throat. He says it's a waste of time to try to teach someone that doesn't want to be taught (which is true for about everything!). Now what's his motivation? Obviously to win people to Christ. He doesn't ask for money, true there is only one offering collected on every Sunday, but that's it. No fundraisers. Nothing but that one offering. So to answer your quesiton I guess it is all based on the individual. Hope this helps :-)

Answer 7

It depends on your definition of propaganda, which can be a pretty subjective word.

But generally, no. Religion is based on faith, which we generally accept as an opinion. Fundamentalists choose to believe the literal interpretation of the Bible, Hindus choose to believe in the polythestic view of divinity, etc.

Sure, there are cults and societies where a particular religion forced on people, and other beliefs are discouraged or suppressed, either through physical or emotional violence. But for the most part, this is not true.

Answer 8

Well, this sort of reminds me of Marx who believed that religion was "the opium of the public." Though I do agree that major religions do have many faults and horrible histories, I guess I stand stark in my faith. Although I do not agree with the politics of major religions, I agree with the standard, original teachings of the faith "love one another, be kind, peaceful" - that sort of thing. If you look at most religions, their major teachings are this. I guess I agree with these thoughts, not so much the way religious politics are played out or the way most believers act nowadays.

Answer 9

I believe in a higher "spiritual" power, entity, presence, intellect (call it what you want), but religious belief is %100 pure fantasy. If you have any doubt, just read some of the biblical or other religious text...it sounds like something that should be read to kindergartners before nap time.

Answer 10

Is atheism a form of propaganda to make atheists think they are doing what they want to do?........You sit as a neutral atheist...how can someone who asks such a question have any kind of neutrality? You are prejudiced by nature as an atheist, so how can you justify your own words?
Best wishes, Mike.