by A. Jacobina Poulsen

Created on: January 06, 2011   Last Updated: January 08, 2011

Religion is a broad term.  Under the heading of religion one finds such diverse beliefs as Christianity, which requires living according to a moral code and the religious beliefs of ancient peoples, like the Mayans, which required human sacrifice.  One cannot authoritatively assert that all religions were invented by rulers to control people, that is a simplistic view.  The answer is more complex and requires one study history, politics, cultures and governments of the world.

Can one state that the Ten Commandments were used to control people?  Yes, of course, in the same way that modern laws are used to control behavior, these commandments set forth a moral code that made society possible.  If there were no rules in place that disallowed anti-social acts such as theft or murder, society would crumble.  Although modern laws are written by men, their basic aim is the same - to provide a structured society in which people may peacefully live.

Which governments are the most oppressive - those with laws that protect freedom of religion or those which have laws that prohibit religion? Stalin killed between 20 million and 60 million of his own citizens, and his Communist state was atheist in nature.  Obviously, the lack of religion did not affect the state's ability to control the masses.  Freedoms of all kinds were denied average citizens under the Soviet regime.  Absence of religion does not guarantee freedom or self-determination.

Which religions were invented by those who wished to rule over others? Which ruler, for instance, invented Christianity?  As I remember my New Testament, both the religious and political rulers were responsible for putting Jesus to death.  Those who did have control over the people were afraid of this unconventional upstart, because His influence was so great and yet He never sought any political power or control.  

Are some religions controlling and potentially harmful?  Certainly, if one objects to being the human sacrifice to a god or if the religion becomes the state and any disbelievers are punished for their heresy.  In the same way, some political ideologies are controlling and potentially harmful.

Anything that diminishes the worth and dignity of a human being, any human being, is harmful. Poltical ideologies that value one group of persons over another are harmful.  Religions that oppress any group of persons over another are harmful.

However, it is not true to say that all religions are tools used to control people any more than it is true to say that all political ideologies are tools used to control people.  Jesus taught that all men were loved of God and that He came to redeem them.  Thomas Jefferson taught that all men were created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights.  Christianity is an example of a religion that teaches moral responsibility. Democracy is a political system that demands it.

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