Matthews Essay

Religion is not only the opium of the people, its the cyanide. This quote written by Tom Robins
embodies the topic to be discussed throughout this discourse; religion has done more harm than good. In the past
religion has been the root cause of a plethora of great wars, it has also succeeded in dividing the human populous
into different sectors. These sectors have different beliefs about the existence of a supreme being as well as the
relationship with that supreme being. In this essay points to substantiate the claim will be expounded on, in the
examination of the thesis.
The French Wars of Religion occurred in the 16th Century between the Roman Catholic Church and the
Protestants in the Kingdom of France. This was placed in the books as the second deadliest war resulting in the
deaths of approximately 3,000,000 people. These individuals could have lived on this earth for a few more years
if they hadnt been brainwashed into fighting for a social institution that was meant to enslave their minds only
catering to the upper class. For example, in the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo X lived an extravagant
lifestyle. When his money ran out he introduced selling the forgiveness of sins. For a fee, persons could pay for
future sins or pay to get a deceased relative or friend from hell to heaven. Many were killed or punished if they
could not come up with the money.
Subsequently through the wars and violence, a divide among the people of the various nations was
created. We see this division transcending in our society today where we have so many religions and so many
denominations and sub-sectors within each. Religious leaders forbid intermarriage between denominations or
religions. For example Muslims are not allowed to marry Christians. This promotes the aforementioned divide
and it places a stigma on religions that are not regarded as correct or true in the eyes of the believers. Division can
also be violent, as some individuals believe that their religion is far superior than the rest (ethnocentrism) and as a
result begin to punish or kill people who dont believe what they do. For Example Isis in the Middle East.
Of course we see the horrible effects of this man-made social institution, however religion has done some
good. Many of the early hospitals were created and run by religious organizations. Universities and colleges were
created as a result of religion. Certain organizational denominations such as the Salvation Army caters to the poor
and the destitute especially around Christmas time. We see evidence of the collection of funds to assist those in
need of clothing as well as food. This I must say has made our planet a bit more hospitable.
Even so, the religious wars were what made these hospitals built by religious groups necessary, as this
was where the wounded were taken care of. Had it not been for this social institution there woud not have been so
much tragedy. The universities and colleges built imparted knowledge, yes, but this knowledge was seasoned with

beliefs and practices of the religion that built it thus maintaining the grip they had on human society through
education.
Religion in its entirety has played its part in oppressing those who saw how corrupt the system was as
well as uplifting those who it assisted by making them richer or more powerful. It is clear that is has done more
harm than good and should be demolished throughout the world. Cyanide is a toxic gas that inhibits cells from
using oxygen and they eventually die. This cyanide that Tom Robins speaks of is clearly religion and if it is not
addressed we will all eventually die.