Publisher's Synopsis
What is religion?
Mark Twain said, "Religion consists in a set of things which the average man
thinks he believes and wishes he was certain of." St. Augustine evaded giving an
answer at all. Perhaps for the true believer it is the relation of human beings to God
or the gods or to something they feel is sacred but which provides a context for life.
From the Pharaoh Akhenaten in c.1320BC, religion has been a way to control
the masses by making them believe in a future reward. Napoleon realised that all
religions are man-made and have the benefit of keeping the poor from murdering
the rich. Hitler and Stalin both used the Church cynically for their own personal
benefit, sure that science would eventually destroy all religions.
This book looks at the powerful men without any religious conviction themselves
who had the greatest influence. It includes such figures as Alexander the
Great and Cyrus of Persia, both Messiahs to the Jews, Constantine, the father of
Christianity who remained a pagan until his deathbed and Mohammed who forgot
his Jewish connexions and beliefs.
