Do you feel that religion was created to control hearts and minds of the population?

Question

Do you feel that religion, in the past was created to control the thought process and actions of the people? Almost every single major religion has its own moral codes, which guide actions, thoughts and feelings, much dictatorial regimes in the recent past and now. I feel that in the past, religion was politics. In a way that it acted like the law. Give me your thoughts on religion in today's world and in the past.

Your replies, no matter how impartial or biased, will be extremely appreciated and valued. Thank you all.

Answer 1

I believe it was only partly invented to control the masses.

The way I see it, people have always (and still do obviously) feared the unknown so they felt the need for a Creator. But above all, I believe that humans are weaklings who can't face their mortality and come to terms that there is no magic Wonderland when we die, so they invented God(s) to sooth their mortal fears and to give their lives some meaning and purpose.

Each religion claims that it brings responsibility for the actions and choices to its followers. As ironical as it may seem, I see it quite the opposite. I believe humans are tossing the guilt and baggage to some imaginary being, when in fact all they have to do is get their lazy bu**s and make something of their lives. To me that is the true meaning of life.

Later on, religions turned out to be very successful for controlling the masses, not to mention what it means today.

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Answer 2

Every human has an innate moral code of right and wrong. Even civilizations that didn't have laws still have that law from within. Makes me think of the scripture at Romans 2:14 - For whenever people of the nations that do not have law do be nature the things of the law, these people although not having law, are a law to themselves.
Religious leaders tend to use religion as a scare tactic in order to maintain and gain members. Isa. 48:18 says "O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandements! Then your peace would become just like a river, and your righteousness like the waved of the sea." Do you feel like you getting refreshed from your religion? If not, consider doing what Matt 7:17-23 says....

Answer 3

In the past, religion and politics were closely intertwined -- even a cursory glance at the lives of the Borgias will confirm that. And you're right: in some ways, religion *was* the law of many lands. You either participated in the rites or you were hauled up in front of the religious leaders and punished.

The difference between modern religion and legal systems is that most religion participation is now voluntary while adhering to the legal system is not. There are exceptions, but for the most part, a person is free to pick his own spiritual path.

For example, he can decide to voluntarily deny himself food during a Lenten fast, or he can choose to go to a church where that is not expected of him. Participation in the legal system, however, is not voluntary: break the speed limit, and you'll get a ticket whether you want one or not.

So the bottom line is that while the legal system has replaced religion as a means of enforcing social expectations, participation in religion is more a matter of personal discipline and obedience. You can't ignore the law and expect to avoid its penalties, but you can opt to obey the rules of a particular religion. In that regard, today's religion is no longer a rigid structure to control society but more a personal tool for self-improvement.

Answer 4

You got it backwards. In the past, religion arose as an attempt to free our minds from confinement to this illusion. It's people that want to control other people's hearts and minds. Peligion is religion. Politics is politics and uses religion as a tool. When the Bolsheviks seized control in 1917, they banned religion and declared an officially atheist state. Then on the eve of WWII, Josef Stalin suddenly 'found' religion again and reinstated the Russian Orthodox Church as the official religious institution of the USSR for the sole purpose of using it as an instrument to whip up an emotional frenzy to support the coming war effort. Politics is the pimp that corrupts everything it touches. The lust for power is so great that they do not miss any opportunity to use whatever means they can to satisfy their perverted desire.

Answer 5

yes I do believe religion was created to control the people. Even the bible was edited by people who only wanted certain books in it. The other books were cast aside. People have always fought in the name of religion from Christians to Muslims . And I do not see this changing in todays world. People would rather kill another being just because we have other beliefs and customs. Even though it is the same God we all pray to.

Answer 6

'there' educations, 'there' delusions, 'there' semi-literate paranoid ramblings... Jericho. The Jebusites. those ring any bells? What relating to the Hittites, Amorites, Girgashites, Canaanites, Perizzites and the Hivites? No? all of them international locations cheerfully wiped out interior the call of the deity on your determination of captivating short thoughts. look it up in case you have not got self belief me. this is all proudly recorded. Blind, aggravating, smug prejudice and semi-articulate ranting at the instant are not reliable bases for civilised standards. Then or now. You very own a determination of information you slightly understand something approximately. you do no longer very own the actuality. And in case you're putting your self forward as an exemplar of the factors you desire to confirm upheld then heaven help us all.

Answer 7

I believe Religion was at first a way for us to explain our existence but later became a powerful political tool which people used to gain a hold of power

Answer 8

That valid for the non-monotheist religions.They are revealed by God,but two of them were corrupted by people,may be to control the thought process,but that is not the original cause of religion as you see.The third monotheist religion-Islam-was revealed by God to correct the faith which was corrupted by people,as I said before.

Answer 9

Yes I believe so. In India kings used to build temples and advertise among the population that God told him to build this and He himself has come in. Some would say the King was swimming when a Deity caught his foot and he brought it out and built temple for it. So people feared him as God or goddess was in his favor.

Answer 10

Religion comes from the fact that a man is not complete without God.
Better still is knowing God personally.