If religion is like a coin, then according to this assertion, there must be a head and tail of religion, which I shall seek to explain.
Since time immemorial, the inevitable link between religion and morality has been hotly debated. The people have argued for and against the compatibility of the two ideas, that for a layman is somewhat identical.
However, the ideas are as distinct from each other as capitalism from communism.
In reality, religion and morality both have served humanity in their own sphere of influence. Although the narrative, and the emphasis, of both the superstructures, has been the same, i.e., the wellbeing of humanity, their practical application has caused ripples in different dimensions.
I would rather recall religion as the compilation of guided moralities that has, for all practical purposes, tended to serve sectoral interests.
God bestowed upon man religion, which like a coin with two sides: its head was morality and tail politics. Without exception, the followers of each religion rushed to claim the tail of religion.
Probably, it was not the original plan of the religious leaders and prophets of various religions to create the social divisions based on their message.
But history reflects man as the most opportunist of all the creatures of the universe, as it turned things into its benefits. Even those things that were exclusively meant for spiritual satiation.
God bestowed upon man religion, which like a coin with two sides: its head was morality and tail politics. Without exception, the followers of each religion rushed to claim the tail of religion.
Throughout history, at least, as much as has come down to us in the recorded form, politics has been dominating religion.
The Jewish annals of the enslavement under the Egyptian Pharoah was a purely political affair, as was their exodus in the 13th century BC.
Moses was a political leader, as was his monotheistic successor, Muhammad. Between these two prophets existed Jesus for some time. However, he did not stay longer to muster a large following in his lifetime.
Related: What is the history of God and Religion?
Whether he was raised to heaven or eventually crucified by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, is a different story, and beyond the reach of this article. However, Christianity eventually devoured the mighty pagan empire to compensate for the sacrilege of the crucifixion of its originator.
In reality, not only these three religions of monotheism, there are several other religions, including Buddhism and Hinduism, that inculcate teachings of moderation and morality.
Yet, the sectoral nature of human beings restricted themselves to pick-and-choose the political aspect of their religions. Morality was mostly abandoned, like a lost child in the wilderness.
As far as the compatibility between religion and morality is concerned, it is an inconvenient proposition in the contemporary world.
Although the United Nations have been sweating for decades to implement morality on the world, human rights abuses are as rife as it were before the World Wars.
Yet, beyond this assertion, it seems that whenever you toss the coin, the tail (politics) appears to claim dominance over morality.
This is perhaps a perfect explanation to evaluate the behaviors of international relations, where dominant states tend to define morality. From political ideologies to the use of mobile phones, there is a guided morality to inculcate the accepted norms.
Ultimately, the most recent trend that the thesis of the head and tail of religion boils down into one point: Capitalism. It is the new religion of the world, according to the guiding morality of the dominating world.
