Quote from: CoinCube on April 09, 2016, 12:54:27 PM

Quote from: TPTB_need_war on April 09, 2016, 07:59:05 AM

Quote from: CoinCube on April 09, 2016, 07:07:46 AM

Religion is not synonymous with dependence.

I am referring to when the State co-opts the religion such as Constantinople.

Recently the Vatican had to play ball with the elites as they were threatened to be shut off from the financial system.

Also the individual is helpless (because they are ideologically invested) when the State uses the religion for an evil end, such as the Spanish Inquisition.

I agree with you on that point. However, this is an argument for the seperation of church and state as well as an argument against specific religions that are organized with ridged and centralized top down leadership rather then an argument against religion in general. It is likely no coincidence that the Protestant reformation appears to mark the approximate dividing line between the prior Middle Ages and the subsequent scientific revolution and Enlightenment.

Religion, in the general sense of the word, spirituality, has to come from within. Or else it does the individual no good. It certainly can and does help the State when imposed from on high.

In my own case, a non-imposed religion did me a tremendous amount of good, I was not on a good path. It is beyond question how much better my life is in several ways.

But, it has to come from within to be any good.

A State Religion helps few I would wager.