Posted by EngineeringProfit > 2 days ago | Report Abuse

Religion has been exploited in numerous ways for personal and organizational gain, primarily through financial, political, and social manipulation. Leaders may exploit donations, sell religious items, or operate Ponzi schemes under the guise of faith. Politically, religion is used to legitimize power, enforce social control, and justify violence or persecution. Charismatic figures often cultivate a cult of personality, manipulating followers through miracle claims or promises of salvation. Religious institutions may exploit tax exemptions, misuse charitable donations, and suppress dissent through excommunication or emotional blackmail. Vulnerable populations, particularly those in crises, are often targeted by prosperity theology or false promises of spiritual healing. By fostering dependence, some religious movements consolidate power and wealth, often creating a system of fear and guilt to maintain control. These mechanisms highlight how religion can be co-opted for selfish aims, undermining its ethical and spiritual purposes.