Opiate of the Masses !
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The statement:
“Die Religion … ist das Opium des Volkes”
often rendered in English as:
“Religion… is the opiate of the masses.”
is attributed Karl Max, the German philosopher and economist.
This statement, often quoted to ridicule religion (mostly Christianity in my context) has seen many versions of itself propagated over the years. The most popular is:
“Religion… is the opium of the masses.”
Interestingly, it is a statement I love and can identify with personally. This is the reason.
A statement on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, Updated on Jan. 6, 2021, says,
“Increased stress can lead to increases in alcohol and substance use.”
Why alcohol and substance abuse such a big issue? Again this is what is written on the same CDC website:
Excessive alcohol use leads to more than 95,000 deaths each year in the United States. Excessive alcohol use increases the risk for violence, injuries, and motor vehicle crashes. It can also increase the risk of long-term health issues such as liver disease, cancer, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and birth defects.
Drinking alcohol
may increase anxiety, depression, or other mental health.
It increases the risk of family problems and violence and
May alter your thoughts, judgment, and decision-making.
It worsens sleep quality, which makes it more difficult to deal with stress.
In the treatment of alcohol and other drug addictions, there is something called Drug Replacement and Maintenance Therapy (DRT). Drug replacement and maintenance therapy is used to legally provide drugs, in a controlled manner, to individuals struggling with problematic drug use. Used properly, DRT reduces drug use and related crime, death, and disease among users.
When people choose religion, they are often choosing a better alternative to alcohol and other substances that others turn to(including conventional DRT); in this broken world full of greed, evil, exploitation, disease, abuse and heartbreak! A world under the influence of Satan and his demons!
The opiate of the masses, called Christianity, is the best alternative to all we described earlier. Instead of death, it promises life here and hereafter; it teaches against violence, decreases incidence of long-term health issues, and provides healing. It reduces anxiety, and prevents depression, and other mental health problems. It decreases the risk of family problems and violence, and generally improves your thoughts, judgment, and faith in God and humanity. These have the effect of improving your decision-making and sleep quality, and equips you to better deal with the ever increasing global stress and anxiety levels!
The icing on the cakes is this: This “opium” comes with no side effects, and actually promises eternal life! I just love it!
Jesus, promised all these and more when He said,
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
MEMORY VERSE
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
“(Matthew 11:28-29)
QUESTIONS
- Do the problems of the world stress you, and make you feel like tipping over?
- Do you know that we have an anchor in Christ Jesus, that keeps us sane in the midst of widespread global insanity?
PRAYER TIP
God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; may we find our solace in You.
CREDIT
- CDC, “Alcohol & Substance Use,” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/stress-coping/alcohol-use.html
- New Beginnings (Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation), “How Effective is Drug replacwement Therapy?” https://www.newbeginningsdrugrehab.org/drug-replacement-therapy/
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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