More on religion...

Hello - has anyone read Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right by Karl Marx? If so, please let me know your thoughts on it. I've not read it yet, and am looking forward to reading it.

Marx made a very famous quote that "religion is the opiate of the masses". I was reading a book that described an ancient civilization where the King imposed taxes on trade and manufacturing, and collected money and goods from the working class without providing anything in return. To uphold this system, he had a prison to hold and punish political dissidents, and had established a religion where he was the head. The book did not describe any more about the religion, but I feel that it is implied that the religion would include the belief or practice that a dutiful adherent should contribute money and goods to the King.

It was a small example, but it is funny how many parallels there were (and are) throughout history and around the world today. Systems of justice and religion are used to preserve unfair, lopsided hierarchies and social structures as much as they are used to promote justice, charity, and spirituality.

Maybe the most negative aspect of religion is that it is religious. When there are beliefs and practices that people consider wrong, offensive, sacrilegious, or punishable to question, then it means those beliefs and practices are worth questioning the most!

Also - the book with the example of the kingdom is From Slavery to Freedom. It is a really great book on the history of African Americans - it is considered the canon of its field. I am very impressed by it - it is one of those books that is so well written and researched, that someone could write an entire book on the topics covered by any page in it.