Is it to irrational to believe that, religion is the basic most primitive tool to keep people in check?

It is interesting we give anciant man so little credit for being intellagent, but we expect him to come up with a being who is beyond description. All powerfull all knowing. These people had to not only think way beyond themselves but to imagine a being so far advanced that we have not even come close to being like that being thousands of years later. All cultures have a creation story, a central god that all things come from (even those who have many gods, only one started it all), a judgement on mankind story. Interesting that all these people groups who developed so far from each other all share these and many more of the same qualities when it comes to their religion.
But to your basic question. Man in and of himself is selfesh and greedy and will use whatever means necssary to get what he wants Power. So yes evil men used what religion people had that was good and twisted it and perverted it to their own means.
Jesus talks about this in the new testament (sorry to bring the bible into a reliegous discussion). That the priest and pharcies were putting undo burden upon the people. That they had corrupted the law that God had given them not to punish man but to guide man into a better way of life here on earth. That is why God keeps making it simpler and simpler to be reconciled to Him. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and you will be saved. Simple basic and to the point and yet other evil men have come along and added to this simple thing.
Men will always use what they can to control the people food, water, home, religion, family, community, money, oil, fame, it will always be something. But put the blame where it belongs with men who abuse the words of God.

Yes and no
Do you believe or not
The choice is yours.
Salvation is on offer to those that accept.
It is an extremely good way at dealing with morals and ethics but it does need tou to practise it to make it work.
Therfore its a tool that needs your response.
Basic its very deep there is a lot to read between the lines and all the different interpretations. I think theology way above me so i think its far from basic.

Not irrational, but simplified. Many peoples experience with religion has not been one of finding restraint, but personal development, and greater purpose.

Is there really something you are refraining from doing out of a fear of god? If it was revealed to you that man invented the god concept out of the natural social programing of being a social creature ( like apes, wolves, and elephants)... would you immediately run out and perform some "sin"?

Religion was/is considered a form of law.. to obey within a structured concept ,,I don't in general think that it is primitive... but it is structured and a lot of people like and do very well within a structured format, where spirituality is less structured but has common belief's.. everyone has a difference of opinion but ...that's what makes the world go round...

well it depends on religions and their practices too.. and then understanding of people who follow the religion is also matters, and one thing more we often judge religions on the through the character of individuals which is not a good approach i think..

I am muslim .. and for me my religion is not a religion but a way of life and a light which guide always .

Regards

This is the purpose of many false religions. It was also the basis for the Marxist philosophy which ironically offers LESS freedom than most religions. Some religions however only offer people an excuse to engage in acts that would otherwise be considered unacceptable. To be enslaved by our physical desires, social expectations, or mere rationality is also a form of control. Freedom is a gift found in the grace of Him who created us.

No. If you believe it, then it is true. Believing something that is true is never irrational.

nope. its logical. the old saying of a good Catholic was a "God fearing man"

Definitely not irrational; many religions have rules that seem arbitrary and that were really created to control and keep order in societies. I, for one, believe there is no True Religion and that religion is a separate entitiy from sprituality. All religions offer a different path to the same omnipotent being, whether you call him God or not. But religion is just a set of rules and regulations about how to worship and live your life, written by men in the name of God and justified by the Bible.