Do you think religion is used for power.?

Sadly, yes, you are correct.

Interestingly, Jesus was offered a position as King, in fact, the Jews tried to grab him to install him as a king but he rejected it (Jo 6:15). History shows that early Christians due to their Godly devotion and following Jesus teaching did not involve themselves in politics or violence of any sort. For example:

“Early Christianity was little understood and was regarded with little favor by those who ruled the pagan world. . . . Christians refused to share certain duties of Roman citizens. . . . They would not hold political office.”—On the Road to Civilization, A World History (Philadelphia, 1937), A. Heckel and J. Sigman, pp. 237, 238.

“A careful review of all the information available goes to show that, until the time of Marcus Aurelius [Roman emperor from 161 to 180 C.E.], no Christian became a soldier; and no soldier, after becoming a Christian, remained in military service.”—The Rise of Christianity (London, 1947), E. W. Barnes, p. 333.

That being the case, those who do rise to power either politically or otherwise, are they truly Christians as was taught by Jesus and his apostles? NO, they are not.

In fact, Jesus said of his true followers:

John 17:16: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.”

But the bible did warn that wicked men would infiltrate the congregations for selfish gains and wouldn't you agree that is exactly what has happened (prophesy: 2 Cor 11:3; 1 Tim 6:3-5; Mt 7:21-23). A Christian is a footstep follower of Christ, so if a person is living the opposite of what Jesus taught and how he lived, all they can be viewed as is counterfeit Christians. Power even inside the Christian congregation was forbidden (Mt 23:8; Mrk 10:43)

What Does the Bible Really Teach?

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teac...

Remember that there's two sides to that coin - can you also realize that much of what's good in the world also comes from religion (Salvation Army, Red Cross & Red Crescent - Feed the children and a myriad of organizations that provide for poor and disenfranchised people). And sometimes the evil that comes, comes from those who absolutely hate religion. You can't blame religion for the evil that men do. Religion has had it's share in promoting things quite contrary to its doctrines, but saying "ALL evil" is going a bit far don't you think? Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely any avenue the will elevate men to a position of power can be blamed for being an avenue for evil. Corrupt Dictators, Politicians, Judges and police officers - it's the heart of man, not the heart of religion.

There are some people who will use organized religion for power. But there are also a great many people who ignore organized religion to make their relationship directly with God through meditation and prayer, without any popes or pastors in between.

Religion is sometimes used for power, but that is not its purpose. Most of the stuff done in the name of religion is NOT about the relationship to "god", it is about using religion as an excuse for various power grabs.

Blessings on your Journey!

I'm an Agnostic (I don't believe in any of the gods revealed by men - including Jesus) but I do have to defend Jesus apostles here - no matter what happened to Christianity latter, the apostles may have been wrong but they were far from greedy and power hungry.

Religious idiots cause all those atrocities! It's one thing to be religious, it's another to force it upon others, and it's absolutely ludacris to kill people over it! I believe in God. I don't care if you do. I'll invite you to church and if you say no then good for you. Seems like people either believe in religions that promote violence or they some how justify violence even though their God does not.

It seems it is, just look at the way a lot of religions have convinced their followers to kill themselves in order to kill their enemies. ( get into heaven ) NOW THAT IS POWER

Absolutely.

Meant to coerce and heard the sheep. It isn't only a tool for power, it is power.

There's a reason Jesus called his followers "sheep".

In short, the answer is yes.