Religion was, and still is, just a way of telling the poor to stay down. "You're living in shit because that's how God wants it! Work had and quirmoning and everything will be fine in Heaven - after we've worked you to death. Kick off and we'll hang you, you'll go to Hell and burn forever!"

In default of knowing any better, and in fear of people with sharp objects. the slaves and peasants put up with this for generations. Right up until the middle classes decided they wanted a bigger slice of the power-cake and started whipping the peasants up with over-simplified Enlightenment thought.

That's become the norm. We are now controlled with disinformation. Specifically the idea that our problems are due to some other group who are out to get us.

It was never about morals, ethics and devotion to a higher good. Just about control.