What is religion? / Part - 1

Even in countries where religion was once dismissed as opium, changes have now taken place. Churches are being built, and a new wave regarding religion is gradually sweeping through those very nations that once labeled it opium. However, the sense in which religion was termed opium in the modern context is entirely accurate—in fact, it is an understatement. For when religion fails to give true meaning to life, when people themselves lack faith in it, and when they are driven primarily by material indulgence and wealth, then religion is far worse than opium.

Not merely ninety percent, but ninety-nine percent of those in the liquor trade are wealthy, whereas up to ninety percent of the consumers are dying. The situation with religion has become much the same; when the true essence of religion is missing, this is precisely what happens.

However, when the Communists called religion opium, they failed to understand it completely—in fact, they got it entirely wrong. For instance, if a smuggler with a beard is caught, one certainly cannot label every bearded man a smuggler. Anyone active in the intelligence services would naturally adopt various disguises, growing or shaving off a beard as needed. Communists had once misunderstood religion, but now they too are correcting their perspective.

continue...