centralizing religion

**Bwaho** · April 12, 2006, 06:04 AM

At the early stages humans worshipped gods that represented different parts of nature: fire, fertility, hunt, war etc. As we progressed and started building civilizations, religion became a political power and with it a social status grew (priests). Religion has often been used by rulers as way to keep people in their place. By explaining to the poor that their situation is what it is because a higher power wants it that way they could get people to accept their way of life.

When a ruler conquered a new area he would often deal with a people who had different beliefs, many times it proved to be problematic to enforce your own rules on the newly conquered (revolts were common). Sometimes the conquered were allowed to keep their way of life but the rulers often found that a kingdom (empire, nation whatever) was easier to manage if it was the same everywhere. Forcing people to convert or creating new religions to centralize beliefs was therefore an important tool when subjecting other peoples.

watcha think? are todays religions a result of political leaders will to make their empires more easily manageable?

**Zenith Darksea** · April 12, 2006, 06:45 AM

No, they aren't.

**-Yo-** · April 12, 2006, 06:55 AM

No i dont think so either, doesnt matter were i live or who i vote for in any election i still choose not to be religious, and i dont think anyone would change their religion to suit any politician

**GoodOne19** · April 12, 2006, 07:14 AM

Maybe in some places of the world, but not where i live.
Unless the radical muslims take over, force us on our knees and command us to pray to Allah,
Strip us with bombs and force us to give our lives in the name of Allah!

Virgins here i come