Religion has three parts

1.Core philosophy that assumes existence of an all pervading God who is creator and nurturer of universe. In Hindu philosophy there are three aspects of God...creation, welfare and destruction.... portrayed by Lord Brahma Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva . This core philosophy then defines role and duties of humans and connection with creator. It tries to satisfy curiosity of humans as Who I am and what this all universes and natures fury and compassion. This philosophy also commands humans to pray and remember creator daily basis and conduct with other living beings with compassion and mutual respect and help. Treat all equal.

2.Second part then developed as commandments and rules to live in community. These rules were made since there were no countries and constitutions and formal laws. Only tribal chieftains decided what is wrong or right . And hence in name of almighty rules were made to convince both rulers and people. Some ritual were formed to ensure spiritual development and health of followers.

3. Then started big fraud in shape of priests temples and customs , festivals and priests took over the people and started living for earning and power and the rulers cleverly collaborated with them to remain in power and terrorize subjects. hatred and divide and rule was started and money and luxury became the main stay of religions. Sadly this has become like a demon now. See how stupid people fight amongst themselves like Sunni vs Shia, catholic vs protectants, Hindu vs Muslims, Jews vs Muslims and so on. Lust money and power are now existing shapes of all religions with largest business turnover and billions of sq kms of land grabbed by them. All religions were developed in local areas and scripts mention local customs and situation at that time. Religions are now only customs and rituals and terrorizing and dirty business, otherwise why Jews and Palestinians cant live together ? except sanatan (Hindu ) religion all are political too as cleverly missionary system has ben built to send blind followers to distances to sell religion and enroll people by inducement money threats or even force

Nothing if it is used to divide people rather than uniting them, business and politics without religion, to my opinion, it would be bloody, so all needed if used appropriately

In a nutshell:

No, it’s not just business and politics.

It’s also hope and being optimistic.

And sometimes, that’s all we need.

People don’t pray for profit. They pray because they’re lost or grateful.

This is a worthwhile question given how often religion is used and abused by both business and politics. However, 21st century science implies that some entity that fits most religions' general description of the divine is not only plausible but probable. Religion being out culturally determined response to such an entity is thus a necessity for true living, even if one's response is denial. Now finding the common ground between monotheism and polytheism is difficult, but difficulty does not mean non-existence. Rather most, and all widely accepted, religions seem to have a common basis.

Here is some busines.

Religion, formally organized, certainly includes business and politics, for that is how people communicate and conduct themselves socially. But in the larger sense (beyond mere organization) religion can be (should be) so much more, for every religion has been based on moral behaviors toward other humans and creation itself. Those moral values may differ somewhat, informed as they are through cultural and historical traditions, and sacred texts. Having still greater import and impact is the central inclusion of a Supreme Being in many religious traditions, as the Creator, or at least, the Sustainer, of life and society. More to the point, is the possibility of close relationship with such a being, as in the historic Judeo-Christian tradition.

Given all of this, when religion is “nothing but business and politics,” something has been lost or omitted—that something being a dynamic connection with God that informs, guides, and empowers one’s relations with others and all creation. When God is distant or uninvolved, all that remains is the business and politics that we may form for ourselves, and which emphasizes our differences and competitiveness, and pits us against one another as guardians of our own truth, rather than co-celebrants of the truth.

Mahatma Gandhi, himself a practicing Hindu, could admire Jesus Christ and his teachings, especially elements of the Sermon on the Mount, but was repulsed by some of Christ’s followers’ hypocrisies. I suspect the original question here arises from a similar view. Regrettably, the followers of Jesus, including even his original disciples, have not been as perfect as their Master (which is why they are “followers”), but he has welcomed all to follow, to imitate him, and most importantly, to connect with him daily in both repentance and faithful obedience.

The core value of religion is the real experience of God.