Would you consider Religion a Systematic means of controlling the masses?

Answer 1

Yes, I would...

Answer 2

Hardly. It would seem so, but looking critically at society as a whole, and all of the world religions (not to mention the near-innumerable denominations that exist), there is little evidence to indicate control of any sort. Perhaps in some...but there is no real way to be sure.

Even in a single denomination, people don't agree on every point. If there was true control, every person of every religion would think and behave exactly the same (spiritually speaking), with the exception of individual lives and lifestyles (single/married, finances, employment, education, health, family size, etc., are some factors that cannot easily be mandated).

Of course, within each religion there has to be some agreement, or there would be anarchy; and few religions would have ever survived without some measure of control, although not in the sense that you indicated in your question.

With the doctrine of Christian religions alone mandating love, charity, kindness, selflessness, etc., society would have seen significant and steady improvement overall long ago if there was true control. The effect of these positive attributes would also have been cumulative: most--if not all--of the world would have been a very different place.

Hope I helped. God bless you. †

Have a healthy, happy, and very blessed 2008!!!!


Martin S: well spoken!
s: ditto!

Answer 3

Religion was never the intent to control anything if I read you question to mean Religion in relationship to God the Father.
God wanted everyone to come to Him voluntarily but not with the intent for controlling anyone.
Any Religion that controls are exactlly that. Controlling everything and everyone who would allow to want to be controlled is a false religion.

Answer 4

I would consider false religion a means of that sort. For example, in the realm of false religion, countless millions are held captive to the unscriptural doctrine of a burning hellfire as a possible final resting place for one's soul if they're wicked or go against God or don't support their church, a place where they'll be tortured and kept in constant suffering and torment forever.

Despite the fact that the Bible itself tells us what really happens to us when we die (we return to the dust, our thoughts and consciousness perish, we simply no longer exist), people have been taught lies all their life and have been controlled by their preachers and pastors through fear of ending up in such a place. It really holds people in place in many places, but not all of course, because even some who claim to be religious won't express absolute belief in what they've learned all their lives.

Answer 5

It has often been used to serve that purpose. Even the Christian religion that I am a part of which teaches that life is about having a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ could be said to do the same thing. Only in the Christian religion - when it is not being used as a tool by corrupt human beings - is about people being controlled by the Holy Spirit of God for their own good and His glory.

Galatians 5:16 So I say, live by the Holy Spirit's power. Then you will not do what your sinful nature wants you to do. 17 The sinful nature does not want what the Spirit delights in. And the Spirit does not want what the sinful nature delights in. The two are at war with each other. That's what makes you do what you don't want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the authority of the law.

19 What the sinful nature does is clear. It enjoys sexual sins, impure acts and wild living. 20 It worships statues of gods. It also worships evil powers. It is full of hatred and fighting. It is full of jealousy and fits of anger. It is interested only in getting ahead. It stirs up trouble. It separates people into their own little groups. 21 It wants what others have. It gets drunk and takes part in wild parties. It does many things of that kind. I warn you now as I did before. People who live like that will not receive God's kingdom.

22 But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful 23 and gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed their sinful nature to his cross. They don't want what their sinful nature loves and longs for. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us march in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become proud. Let us not make each other angry. Let us not want what belongs to others.

Answer 6

No. There are better ways to control the masses. Spirituality is too complicated a means to control others, since it's so personal. And since there are so many divisions in religious systems today, there aren't many huge masses being controlled.

Which brings me to my other question: controlled. Controlled to do what? By whom? For what purpose?

Sorry if this sounded snarky, but I'll never understand that idea.

Answer 7

Dogmatic elements may control the masses but open spirituality allows people freedom on their path and has no centralising authority.

Answer 8

Religion has been used to manipulate the gullible mass. But the better our education and knowledge and the freedom to communicate is eroding the grip of imaginary gods and religions for many. Freedom from religion is ultimate freedom for mankind.

Answer 9

It is a necessity for the Novus Ordo Seclorum to succeed, although its basis is false and wicked! The elite hold power and dictate through their unrighteous lifestyles sadly enough.

Answer 10

Oh yes. Fear based morality. But if that's what a person needs to be an accountable human, then i'm a proponent of religion, though i have little respect for their ethics.

Answer 11

Fake religions, yes.