>>>I have given up hope that the humankind will come to its senses within my lifetime. But in the long run, I expect religion to become obsolete, or we won't last.
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>>Religion might change over time, just as it has in the past, but obsolete? I doubt it.
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>I doubt it too, but then I didn't define how long a run, did I?

You have me there. But I'd say it'll never happen as long as there are people still alive. Afterward, of course, it won't matter much.

>>Too many people can't deal with the idea that we are on our own. You've seen enough of the arguments here. In the past we had many gods and that became considered a quaint 'mythology'. Now we have one God, and eventually, I expect that to also become just as quaint a 'mythology'. But it will certainly be replaced by a different and more correct 'truth' to which humans will cling with fervour. I have no idea what that new truth might be, but it will end up being just as divisive and destructive as the current and older truths.
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>For one I expect the religions to finally repent their hubris (which most of them qualify as a sin anyway) and stop touting their proprietary truths as ultimate. A good first step would be to stop saying that everybody else got it wrong.

Hmmm... Shoulda, woulda, coulda. I agree about what would be nice, but reality just doesn't seem to work that way.

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>>In this particular area, I do not hold out great hopes that humanity in general will come to it's senses. One of the most effective and proven methods for controlling a great number of people is through religion. There are those who can't give it up because of the propping up it gives them, and there are others who can't give it up because of the power it gives them.
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>Ah, the good old confluence of religion-as-tool and politics. Got to love that... for if you'd start judging it on its merits, you may wish to embrace nearest porcelain.

I don't really see any merits. No, wait. I take that back. Apparently there are people in this world who would be out raping, killing, and generally pillaging if not for religion. I know that because they keep telling me that's how people without religion are destined to behave. So, personally, I have to be glad that they have found religion.

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>As to the humanity coming to its senses (or "slaves becoming aware of their chains"), isn't it indicative that the proponents of religion as a good thing for the masses, and the proponents of education for not exactly everybody are usually the same people?

Sure, same as very often people who believe in the bible and its 10 commandments (I'm thinking most especially of the Catholic 5th - 6th in most other religions) also believe in capital punishment. It's a dichotomy all right.