Religion = propaganda

"Propaganda is neutrally defined as a systematic form of purposeful persuasion that attempts to influence the emotions, attitudes, opinions, and actions of specified target audiences for ideological, political or commercial purposes through the controlled transmission of one-sided messages (which may or may not be factual) via mass and direct media channels." Richard Alan Nelson, A Chronology and Glossary of Propaganda in the United States, 1996

I think that most people would agree that the term PROPAGANDA has negative connotation, and it's usually associated with political influencing of the citizens.

But religions use propaganda in far more insidious ways. They use such terms as eternal damnation of one's soul (well, first they make you believe you have a soul) to influence masses of people to attend their events where they influence them some more in various ways to give up control of their own lives and submit to their authority!

I think that if we started calling Religion Propaganda, maybe people would at least stop to think about what they are doing before they choose to be so influenced... Oh, what am I saying, it won't happen.... It was a nice thought though...