Religion is a system to execute control over uninformed and ignorant masses.
Which is why many big religions have been in significant decline in the past 100 years thanks to education efforts.
Which is why the religious are getting more involved in politics, and more involved in extreme, right wing politics, because thats where the most gullible peasantry is, and its from that they can steal the most power for themselves.
Its one of the big reasons why you see the right wing hating on education and the educated all the time.