When step 2 intersects with capitalism, all the other stuff just naturally follows. Sure there are people who legitimately want to help people (read an article about 2 Christians giving up their high paying jobs to spend their time making affordable housing for the poor and indigenous people) but they're increasingly becoming the minority.

That said, money based religions are only one oppressive group that bands together for profit and control. Religions aren't much different than political parties (hence the smashup between many) and corporations, organized crime, etc.

Human nature, rather than being inherently good, tends to be inherently bad. Hence why most giant groups tend to be oppressive by nature. It's why I believe that there shouldn't be giant concentrations of wealth and power.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

Cringe comment tbh. Religion is a net neutral institution. It can be nudged in any direction. Majority atheist states are not less oppressive than majority religious states. America does have a uniquely large amount of Christianity-inspired cults tho. I would say this more of an indicator of America's failing/non-existent social systems, rather than an inheritant feature of religion.

Cults, mafias and corrupt monopolies exist primarily, when the state fails at least in one key area. They act as competitors of the state. Competition in science, art and economy is great. In governance, competition means public chaos and oppression. Multi-party democracies are the only exceptions (to some extent).