The Politics of Religion

EVER wondered why leaders of religious movements seem to have so much power? Well, it's about time you realise that religion is one of the best avenues to gain power over people.
Over the centuries across the world, religious leaders have used their office to provide succour and also to gain favours of enormous earthly proportions.
That's not the most alarming thing (earthly possessions). The most disturbing consequence of religious development is the spread of hatred and the indoctrination of death in exchange of heavenly rewards.
If you have a TV at home or read at least one newspaper a day, you would realise that influential clerics regardless of creeds have abused their powers relentlessly and much to the alarm of true spiritual leaders.
Seriously, one would have thought that humans in general are armed with lots of common sense than to be taken in by these hate mongers who are using their religious hold on devotees to realise their own earthly, personal agendas.
However, religions of different hues have been miused and abused since time immemorial. Mankind is generally superstitious and is usually susceptible to threats of the inexplicable kind.
The politics of religion is a field that has created many dark chapters in the history of the human race. Millions have died in the hands of common folks who have been swayed and driven to commit horrendous acts of brutality on their own fellow brethern. These dastardly deeds have been instigated by so-called men and women of religion.
Therefore, the first rule of the thumb is to be aware of the fact that a true spiritual leader never spread the gospel of hatred, nor would he in any way wishes to see the destruction and suffering of others.
The moment a religious leader calls for the death of others, he should be shouted down as a charlatan and a fraud. God does not want any suffering or even the slightest hurt perpectuated on his people on earth. That is not the divine plan.
The divine plan is happiness, enlightenment and soulful joy of being one with the Almighty.
At this crucial juncture in man's history, we must keep our eyes wide open, and our hearts warm to the faults of others. In our quest for peace and happiness on earth and among humankind, we must stay alert to the constant and frantic calls from the false prophets who demand the suffering and if necessary the death of others.
Religion has become politics of the most deadly kind. We must chuck gullibility out of our lives. It is being used as a vehicle for selfishness, hostility, aggression and conquest.
If mercy, love and forgiveness become very much part of our persona, such darts of hatred will be deflected from our lives.