New World Order

[Excend]

The Crusades intended to recover Jerusalem after it had been taken by Muslims. Religion serves as much more than just a justification for war.

[Yarok]

Exactly, it's political. The Church gets money, the kings acquisition land, and the people get to feel like they're helping out God. Religion is a method of politics, and an effective one. Think of why formalized religion was created? It allowed former civilizations to justify tax and several laws, and these people cannot argue because God said so.

[Excend]

Although I agree with you that in general, states used church power to manipulate the masses, there were organized religions that were uncorrupt and based on actual beliefs that did things such as start wars and collect money.