In Brazil (and other nations), football (soccer) is also the opium of people.
Religion is whatever you want it to be. This why there are so many denominations. Disagreements in religion cause this constantly.
Yep, schism is the way of it. Over 40,000 Christian sects and counting.
I prefer something a little more modern
Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers. It tells people to go out and stick their noses in other people's business. I live by the golden rule: Treat others as you'd want them to treat you. The religious right wants to tell people how to live.
Unfortunately the phrase comes from someone who somewhat an idiot.
I doubt that Hemingway would misquote Marx and try to pass it off as his own statement. Maybe when he was nineteen years old and drunk.
It's also a useful tool for the rich and powerful.
Same as with racism and caste..
Long before Hemingway, Karl Marx wrote that "Religion is the opium of the masses." I think Marx's is the truer statement (assuming that "masses" encompasses the broad swath of society). You don't have to be poor to be gullible, or indoctrinated, or superstitious, or unhappy, or lonely, or in fear of death...
Unhappy wealthy folks have more expensive escapes and get their egos stroked.