Religion :: essays research papers

According to the dictionary "religion is the service and worship of matinee idol or the supernatural."1 I challenge that definition. It is true that allreligions do involve the worship of some supernatural force, however, itis also true that no religion in history has ever stopped at that. For ato a greater extent complete definition of the word religion we also have to examinetwo other aspects. How has it affected man over the centuries? Andwhat is the true motivation of its leading? Some would have youbelieve that it has brought peace and harmony to the world and that itsleaders are motivated by the service of their god. I suggest that a more than accurate definition of word would be asfollows. Religion, a feudal system of government which uses fear, hate andsometimes lies to control and manipulate people for the advance of aselect groupof individuals. To better illustrate this point lets look at just three of the countlessexamples that human history has to offer. The I nquisition, "judicialinstitution, formal by the papacy in the Middle Ages, charged withseeking out, trying, and sentencing people guilty of heresy."2 Hereticswere considered enemies of the state. The penalty for heresy was spin and death. The crucifixion of deliveryman Christ, "Jesus was taken toGolgotha and nailed to a cross, the Roman punishment for politicaloffenders and criminals."2 The Crusades, "The name Crusade (fromLatin, "Cross") was also applied, to the wars against pagan peoples,Christian heretics, and political foes of the papacy."2 All threeexamples illustrate how man has used God to justify his greed and questfor power. When the leadership was challenged, it used devine decree tojustify the murder and torture of the innocent. We are expected tobelieve that a non-physical being order the religious leadership to aquireriches and land, often at the demise of the poor and helpless. Themisuse of God isnt limited to the Ancient world.