religion was simply the propaganda tool used to whip up the followers...but what lay behind it was economic powerplays of various sorts

Hmmm. That's a pretty cynical view, Little Hawk. You are certainly correct that there are many people in power who attempt to use religion as a tool for acquiring power and wealth - but I don't think that's the whole story. I suppose some people are hoodwinked, but I don't think people join a religious group simply to support some guy who wants power and wealth. I think they're seeking something deeper than power and wealth, something to make life meaningful. There's more to life than power and money. Certainly you don't live for power and money, do you?

I've worked in the Catholic Church all my life, and I've certainly spent time fighting off bastard clergy who just want power and money. Actually, the worst Catholic bastards are rich lay men who have found a way to be appointed "chairman of the board" of some Catholic entity with assets. The bastards are present, in sizeable numbers, but I don't think they're a majority. The majority of church leaders are pretty good people who aren't particularly extraordinary, and then you have a few saints and a good number of bastards. I've had the good fortune to know a number of the saints, and to be able to keep my distance from the bastards.

But to say that all religion is propaganda seems a bit strong. Most religious people aren't that stupid, that they'd buy into something that is merely propaganda. Many ARE that stupid - but not most.

-Joe Offer-