@kewpie saidI fully agree.
@Suzianne
I've never had a problem with adherence or adherents to any religion, my problems are entirely with the corrupt and self-serving organisers who see numbers of followers as power that they've achieved. Like people who think that 4500 facebook friends means 4500 people available to be controlled and exploited. Like the CEO of a huge homeless orphans charity living the high life off his $200million salary package.
This is exactly why we're told that we can NOT follow God AND Mammon. We choose, and some choose poorly because it "pays off" in the short term. But those people have abandoned their God. Thankfully, we can "know them by their fruits".
This why I often say that it's not religion, per se, but those who abuse religion.
@kewpie saidWell, that's what we aim for.
Others become addicted and lose all capacity to behave rationally.
J/K! 😉
Thank you for the OP -- I had never seen the full quotation, only the much-contracted version.
@kewpie saidWell, that's what the more noticeable side of religion does. The more contemplative approach does not usually have a high need for outside attention.
Agreed. But unfortunately that's what it does. True faith isn't well served by organisations - i.e. groups of people - which exist to control other people and shut out any alternatives. Proselytising is controlling.
@kewpie saidKarl Marks was full of shiit.
The full quote from Karl Marx translates as: "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people". {Wikipedia}
Some people can cope with opiates in small quantities and receive benefit from them. Others become addicted and lose all capacity to behave rationally.
@bigdoggproblem saidI am sure you do.
I found him to be remarkably insightful - almost prophetic, even - about the shortcomings of capitalism, even if I did not agree with his proposed solution to the problem.
@ghost-of-a-duke saidI am surprised you agree with my comment about Karl Marks.
You have that in common (ism).
@ghost-of-a-duke saidI always thought he went into partnership with Frank Spencer to establish a chain of well known British department stores.
I have no idea who Karl Marks is.
Was he a friend of Friedchicken Engels?