Empowerment and the spread of religion

Most religions talk of equality, while almost all social structures contradict that part of whatever religion they follow. There in fact exists a critical link, between religion and the concept of equality, or empowering the weak, and the spread of a religion.

I am not a well read person, neither do I have grave knowledge of religion, and its spread. But there are a few things which I have noted from the different things that I have come across in life. We are all well aware of Christian missionaries, and we are well aware of their contribution to the society all across the globe. But if you take a closer look, you will see a pattern.

The missions, especially charitable missions target the poor and the helpless. They provide for these people, and in return, they accept the faith of the mission. Essentially, all the goodwill is done to lure the weak into conversion. Well, it might seem like a small price to pay for someone who has nothing, but spreading your faith could mean heaven for someone. I believe that there is a CLAUSE in God's contract that if you convert someone, your sins would be washed, and the gates of heaven will open for you.

Basically, you put on a charitable face to get someone to convert, so that you can have a great afterlife! Pretty amazing at it may seem, its more complicated than it sounds.

Generally, the higher order of any society are the benefactors of the social structure. They have in fact used the holy book, or holy authority wisely, to carve out a comfortable spot for themselves, and deprive others of the benefits that they are "entitled to". So, these people would, in their sane minds, never agree to picking up another faith, and possibly giving up their place in the higher order of the society.

So, the missions target the less privileged, and the ones who are deprived of the riches, and of the respect of others. The depravity drives them to accept another religion which promises respect and success to these people.

Slowly, over a period of time, these groups of people are converted, and nurtured. With the brainpower of the mission, masterminding the actions of the newly converted, motivated, empowered, and so called enlightened lot, they assume more and more power in the society they are in. And slowly, seeing the benefits being enjoyed by the ones who converted, the religion spreads up through the ladder of the social hierarchy. (obviously assuming that there are no violent oppositions to the spread, which are more than common!

This line of thought can somewhat shed light on how religions could have been spreading across geographical barriers. I have taken one religion in particular, but I believe the same pattern should follow among the rest.