Novalis
In 1798, Novalis wrote in Blüthenstaub (Pollen) :
Ihre sogenannte Religion wirkt bloß wie ein Opiat: reizend, betäubend, Schmerzen aus Schwäche stillend.
Their so-called religion acts merely as an opiate: irritating, numbing, calming their pain out of weakness.
Read more about this topic: Opium Of The People