Religion: a tool for the ruling class to keep the population under control?

[abaris]

Whenever I debate religion or hear it debated, it is always at the back of my mind the the person arguing in favour of religion is actually defending the very system that is controlling their mind in favour of the ruling class.

You can make that argument for many middle eastern states and to a lesser degree for the USA. You can't make that argument for the largest parts of Europe. We've moved beyond that point, thanks to two world wars. Religion isn't what's keeping the masses in check, as Marx used to argue - very losely paraphrased. Not anymore.