In the word of genius Karl Marx, religion is opium of the masses. According to him, the world is been run by few elite who due to their greed for wealth and power subjected a large number of poor people into inhumane conditions and comfort them with religion. Ironically, this is the way of life in so many societies, Nigeria included.
Nigeria gained independence with the hope for a better nation filled with love, joy, development; however, many years from the historic 1960 liberation, we have dwell in the worst form of life which has given us a permanent seat in the league of third world nations. From the first republic till date, the recklessness of our leaders has led to pure underdevelopment with serious economic hardship and dilapidated society. To avoid any backlash, religion has become the tool that keeps the suffering masses loyal. Thus, religion is a tool of governance.
Nigeria is divided into North and South; the North predominantly Muslims and the South Christians. The North has ruled the nation for many years but still found her selves in a dire situation of famine, low level education, poor health care, war and many other disasters. This is unfortunate for a region that has produced the largest number of leaders. Ironically, the people are still subjected to the leaders who have failed them. This couldn’t have been possible without religious leaders who provide routes for these leaders to dominate. It is believe that religious leaders are omniscience and they are the mouthpiece of God with their opinions not questionable. Hence, whatever they say, the followers must obey without questioning. The poor are ignorant, weak-minded, easily deceived, and in a state of hardship, religion reduces their immediate suffering and provided them with pleasant illusions of eternal enjoyment after this world. This reduces their willingness to confront the oppressive, heartless and soulless elites.
A vivid example of how politicians manipulate the minds of the people shows when Governor Yari of Zamfara State attributed Meningitis outbreak in the state to God’s punishment of the people for fornication instead of taking the blame for his government poor response to the outbreak. He however received backlash from the public including the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
For so many years, Nigerian masses have been in serious hardship and this has continued to pile up day after day. The people are dying because there is no good hospital, there is no food to eat, graduates aren’t employed, no electricity, water, good roads and many more. Though, the problem and the source are known to all, no one dares them. The people ask themselves if the earth is worth fighting and dying for since there is a safe home for them somewhere with abundant enjoyment beyond human comprehension. At the end, they relax, hung on to faith. Is there is a form of connivance of religious and political leaders against the proletariat? Since the realities of life put them in distress and prevent them from finding true happiness in life, religion tends to promise them solace. These illusory fantasies make many passive as they give them relief; help to take the pain away from the struggles of life and act as good things that make life worth living.
For how long would this continues? Humans need to create an egalitarian society with the best form of socio-economic and political condition. It is time for the blind to see. Freedom is not given, it is earned. The people should free themselves from agents of deceit.
www.mbnaija.com/2017/07/01/religion-is-the-opium-of-the-people-who-stands-to-gain/

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