Religion has had a massive impact on societies, no doubt. It's given people a sense of purpose, a community to belong to, and a moral compass. But it’s also been used as a tool to control people and keep them in check. And it’s not like this is just one religion; it’s a problem across the board. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism – they've all, at different points in history, been twisted to justify things that hurt women, minorities, and anyone who's seen as "other." We need to talk about that.

Take Islam, for example. While a small section of people follow it peacefully, some of the more conservative interpretations have been used to restrict women's rights. You hear about stuff like covering up, polygamy, and child marriage. Something more insane is that Prophet Muhammad was married to a 6-year-old and also married his son’s daughter. Some people justify this in the name of religion. And yes, interpretations can vary, but these ideas have been around for a long time and shaped how women are treated in many parts of the world. It's not just extremists – it’s built into the fabric of the system in some places.

In Christianity, you’ve got people using the Bible to push against LGBTQ+ rights, claiming it’s against God’s will. I’m not saying every Christian thinks this way, but historically, this has been used to keep people from living freely, especially women and queer people. Religion, when used this way, keeps people trapped in outdated ideas that hurt progress.

Hinduism’s got its own issues, like the Manusmriti, an ancient text that says women are always supposed to depend on a man. Whether it’s their father, husband, or son, the message is clear – women aren’t supposed to have independence or freedom. This idea has been used for centuries to justify how women were treated as less than men. It’s not just about being old-fashioned – it's actively harmful and outdated in today’s world.

The problem isn’t just extremists twisting the faith – it’s that these texts and ideas have been used for so long to justify systems that oppress women. We’ve seen this over and over again, whether it’s through laws, cultural practices, or social expectations. Religion often discourages questioning and critical thought, which makes it harder to challenge these outdated ideas. When something is considered divine and unchangeable, harmful practices get perpetuated without thought.

At the end of the day, religion isn’t inherently bad. It can bring people peace and purpose. But when it’s used to limit freedom and hold people back, that's when it’s a problem. We live in a world where we can learn, grow, and do better. Holding onto old beliefs that hurt people, especially women, keeps us stuck in the past. It’s time to move beyond blindly following things that no longer make sense and focus on creating a society where everyone – regardless of gender, sexuality, or background – can live freely and equally.