Is religion and faith cynical? [Spirituality & Religion]

Religion uses rhetoric to trick believers into feeling secure where none is needed. The same outcome can be achieved through philosophy without rhetoric and with respect for the individual's own minds.

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Miram · 31-35, F

Early cynicism, as used in its early meaning, is related to religious practices of isolating oneself from the material world, wants.. It's no surprise the two seem strongly related just like to nihilism and idealism.

sogdianrock · 61-69, M

hi Darkcosmos
I applaud Diogenes:
“It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours.”
― Diogenes of Sinope

“Alexander the Great found the philosopher looking attentively at a pile of human bones. Diogenes explained, "I am searching for the bones of your father but cannot distinguish them from those of a slave.”
― Diogenes of Sinope

However I do not believe the Cynics were cynical in the modern meaning of the words. I applaud The Philosophy of Cynicism.
Best wishes
:)

wikipedia:
Cynicism (Greek: κυνισμός) is a school of thought of ancient Greek philosophy as practiced by the Cynics (Greek: Κυνικοί, Latin: Cynici). For the Cynics, the purpose of life is to live in virtue, in agreement with nature. As reasoning creatures, people can gain happiness by rigorous training and by living in a way which is natural for themselves, rejecting all conventional desires for wealth, power, sex, and fame. Instead, they were to lead a simple life free from all possessions.

dictionary:
cynicism
ˈsɪnɪsɪz(ə)m/Submit
noun
1.
an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; scepticism.
"public cynicism about politics"
synonyms:scepticism, doubt, distrust, mistrust, doubtfulness, suspicion, disbelief, incredulity, unbelief, scoffing; pessimism, negative thinking, negativity, world-weariness, disillusion, disenchantment; raredubiety, sardonicism