Full Idea
The church [as opposed to religion] fulfils a genuine political necessity, for it enables the people to regard themselves as subjects of an invisible supreme power to which they must pay homage.
Gist of Idea
The church has a political role, by offering a supreme power over people
Source
Immanuel Kant (Metaphysics of Morals I: Doctrine of Right [1797], §49 Gen C)
Book Reference
Kant,Immanuel: 'Political Writings', ed/tr. Reiss,Hans [CUP 1996], p.150
A Reaction
I'm sure I remember Marx putting a different spin on this point… This idea captures the conservative attitude to established religion, at least in the UK.
Related Idea
Idea 7128 Religion is the opium of the people, and real happiness requires its abolition [Marx]