The concept of "religion" itself is a construct that can be manipulated for political gain from "summary" of The Myth of Religious Violence by William T Cavanaugh
The idea that religion is a construct that can be exploited for political purposes is a central theme in William T Cavanaugh's 'The Myth of Religious Violence'. Throughout the book, Cavanaugh argues that the concept of "religion" itself is a product of Western modernity and has been used to justify violence and domination. Cavanaugh suggests that the modern concept of religion as a distinct and private sphere separate from politics is a relatively recent development. He traces the origins of this concept to the European colonial period, when it was used to categorize and control non-Christian peoples. By defining certain practices and beliefs as "religious", Western powers were able to label them as inferior or dangerous, justifying their own actions as necessary for civilization and progress. Furthermore, Cavanaugh argues that the idea of religion...
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