Religion Getting a Bad Rap!

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

You don't think he was trying to play/con the crowd?

he was an evil genius. I have no idea what he really believed or what he just used at propaganda.

As far as Stalin / lenin / Pol Pot go... you have to understand that communism ruled them. They wanted everythign the same.. everybody "equal" so that they would have complete control. Stalin and lenin were athiests who understood the power of relgion.. I believe a Marx quote is "religion is the opium of the people"... which is right on point IMO. They had to break down differences, religion, education, money, science etc.. between people to make everyone the same, to erase individuality.

All of these guys you name were raised deeply in religion. They were also evil, and promoted communism. They didnt start wars in the name of atheism.

To me, the majority of religions were started to promote power and greed (especially the Catholic Church) Look at radical Islam today... bin Laden used Islam as propaganda to infuriate middle eastern muslims who were already poor and brought down by their governments. He gave them a movement (the jihad).. something to gather around to blame everyone else for their problems. Stalin, pol pot, etc. they all wanted personal power and greed. All these wars and terrible acts, whether in the name of god or not, had a lot in common.

[dellinger63]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

To me, the majority of religions were started to promote power and greed (especially the Catholic Church) Look at radical Islam today... bin Laden used Islam as propaganda to infuriate middle eastern muslims who were already poor and brought down by their governments. He gave them a movement (the jihad).. something to gather around to blame everyone else for their problems. Stalin, pol pot, etc. they all wanted personal power and greed. All these wars and terrible acts, whether in the name of god or not, had a lot in common.

Well said and I agree. However I believe the roots of religion are based in man's struggle/need to understand the beginning/where they came from and indeed man needing an opiate (a hope of afterlife or reincarnation if you will) as a way with dealing day-to-day struggles which, I'm sure included the threat of dying.

That or aliens landed and played a bad practical joke.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

Well said and I agree. However I believe the roots of religion are based in man's struggle/need to understand the beginning/where they came from and indeed man needing an opiate (a hope of afterlife or reincarnation if you will) as a way with dealing day-to-day struggles which, I'm sure included the threat of dying.

That or aliens landed and played a bad practical joke.

I agree completely that your reason is why people follow relgion today, and throughout world history. People are afraid or dying, they want this world to mean something more than what it does. It is also a place to go and feel like you belong.. other people support your same thoughts and ideas.

Now I dont think those reasons are why religions are created though.. I personally think the majority of the time it has to do with power struggles. What greater way to control the masses then by telling them.. and getting them to have "faith".. that if you dont believe this, or do that, you will be damned to hell for eternity. If you have faith in what I tell you, you will have eternal bliss and happiness in heaven.