<P> Religion has become, in many Western countries, less common and less accepted since Marx wrote this now - famous line . Some writers speculate on what the modern "opium of the people" would be, such as sports fandom, celebrities, the distractions of television, internet, and other entertainment, etc . </P> <P> The same metaphor was used by many authors during the 19th century . </P> <P> In 1798, Novalis wrote in "Blüthenstaub" ("Pollen"): </P> <P> Ihre sogenannte Religion wirkt bloß wie ein Opiat reizend, betäubend, Schmerzen aus Schwäche stillend . </P>

Who said television is the opiate of the masses