I can think of no tool that's more effective at manipulating weak-minded people than religion, which fuels fear. Corrupt humans holding power haven't used Buddhism to enrage and scare the hell out of their citizens for political purposes, have they? (I may be mistaken) Some religions are better suited to manipulate through fear and guilt than others. Unless I'm mistaken, "One nation, under God" was forced into our daily, school-assisted brainwashing program we call th pledge of allegiance, by Christian groups. "In God we trust" on our currency is another example of imposed religion. Christianity is all about the force-feed.