If religion is truly the opium of the people then perhaps it explains why religious people poll as being happier than Atheists. Personally, I haven't found this to be true except that most religious people I have known are so mindless that they wouldn't know the difference between true happiness and simple existence without pain.
Anybody else find this to be true? Are you happy?[huffingtonpost.co.uk]
It's opiate, not opium. Karl Marx quote "religion is the opiate of the masses". This is more in reference to the somnambulant public. Governments encourage activities that keep the masses in place or quiet. The more divisive the more the masses won't revolt. Religion is a huge aid in keeping the public quiescent.
That's wonderful but are you happier than a religious person or less so?
Hey look, we're both right
"Religion is the opium of the people" is one of the most frequently paraphrased statements of German philosopher and economist Karl Marx. It was translated from the German original, "Die Religion ... ist das Opium des Volkes" and is often rendered as "religion... is the opiate of the masses."
@Surfpirate I've always been a happy person -- more fun that a grumpy one. I have my days but mostly I prefer a smile.