“…. the primary epiphenomena of any religion’s foundation are the production and flourishment of hypocrisy, megelomania and psychopathy, and the first casualties of the religion’s establishment are the intentions of its founder.” (page 157, “Birds without Wings”, by Louis de Bernieres)

Epicurus, from his perch in the afterlife would no doubt say, “plus ca change”. Louis de Betnieres is here commenting on Turkish Islam, the Greek Orthodox church and various variants of the two.

But his quotation holds for most religions.