RELIGION IS THE OPIATE OF THE PEOPLE

     'Religion is the Opiate of the People' is probably one of the most famous quotations of Karl Marx.  It comes from the introduction to a work that was never published, entitled,   'A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right'; Basically I believe the truth of this statement!  This might seem incredible or hard to fathom since as I've stated elsewhere, I've been a Born-Again Christian since 1978, and I view all things in life from a Christian Perspective, and through a Biblical Paradigm.  Of course, Marx, Hegel, Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin were atheists which makes this statement hard to believe.  But let's dig in to that term 'OPIATE'  What Marx is saying is that religion gives meaning, hope and comfort to the masses, helping them to cope and endure their oppression by the ruling 'Capitalists' and this opiate brings purpose to the mundane trivialities of everyday life. Karl Marx was mocking belief in God when he made this statement.

       But I contend that there is a much deep meaning here which actually glorifies God in this Statement.  What is an OPIATE?.  An opiate is a substance that subdues the mind, and the decision making faculty and pacifies ones senses.  A person that is under the influence of an opiate has the ability and make rational decisions impaired or severely hindered almost to the point of ceasing to be a functioning, responsible person, and cannot discern reality.

     The term 'religion' , as it is used here refers to the various systems of creeds, beliefs, dogmas used by multitudes of peoples in this world.  God Almighty, the One who created us, put within us a 'God shaped vacuum' that only God can fill.  The fact that the individual masses of people have that longing, yearning and deep craving for a God that they are sure that is out these is the reason for the multiplicity of religions that exist in our world today.  To put it simply, the World's religions are mankinds attempt to reach out to a God that they have deep craving, and longings for.

      One the other hand, Almighty God, the One who created us, knows that humanity is a depraved, and doomed race. He prepared a plan by coming to earth in the form of His Son; Taking our sins to the Cross where he was crucified; and reaching out to lost humanity.  This is not a religion.  This is a RESCUE operation.  This is Salvation for individual Humanity.  And this Salvation only comes through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.  No man cometh unto the Father but by Me"  John 14:6.

     The reiigions of the world act as an opiate, because adherence to these religions deadens the mind and the conscience, and severely hinders a persons moral decision making capability; thus making it nearly impossible for a person who is stuck on, and steeped in religion to ever hear the Voice of God, and to be able to discern reality and make the proper decision of their will which delivers their Soul.

     Remember, Christianity, is a Person, (The Lord Jesus Christ), and Salvation is coming to know GOD, and falling in Love with Jesus Christ.

     JESUS said, "And this is Life Eternal, that they might know THEE, the only True God, and JESUS CHRIST whom Thou hast sent"   JOHN 17:3