Karl Marx called religion the “opium of the people.” He meant that religion creates an illusory happiness that prevents people from seeking real happiness, which he believed would come through communism.
Marx underestimated the continuing role that spirituality plays in human well-being.
Americans Pray For Healing
One CNN report claims that 90% of Americans pray for healing when they are sick or injured. That number is surprising because previous reports suggested that about 50% of the population uses spirituality to connect the mind, body, and soul. If in fact 90% of the population uses religious beliefs or spirituality to heal, that’s more than the reported percentage of the population who claim to be religious.