The Profits of Religion

Upton Sinclair, the muckraking giant of 20th century journalism and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Jungle, turns his critical eye upon the world of religion. Mind you, he is not critical of God nor of the teachings of Christ, but of the organized religions throughout history and of our times.

The narration is by Audiofile Magazine Earphones Award-Winning narrator Peter Lerman, who has also narrated The Brass Check by the same author.

This book is of the Dead Hand series, which includes investigations and critiques of corrupt and exploitative industries: The Jungle (meatpacking), King Coal, Oil!, The Brass Check (journalism), and others.

Here, Sinclair rails against the corruption of religion throughout history and in his day. He tells of their bloody pasts and their oppressive present; their collusion with corrupt and tyrannical governments and trusts. Sometimes he simply tells tales of the ridiculous sects and "prophets" which have sprung up so frequently and continue to do so.

His harsh analysis of religion foreshadows the contemporary writings of authors and thinkers such as Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Richard Dawkins.