How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Yueh watched Paul work the page adjustment, thought: I salve my own conscience. I give him the surcease of religion before betraying him. Thus may I say to myself that he has gone where I cannot go. (5.36)
Karl Marx once called religion the "opium of the people" (source). Whether or not this is true, Yueh is sure tapping into religion to feel better. But instead of giving religion to himself, he gives it to the boy he will betray, so there's an extra little twist on Marx's idea.
Quote #2
With the Lady Jessica and Arrakis, the Bene Gesserit system of sowing implant-legends through the Missionaria Protectiva came to its full fruition. The wisdom of seeding the known universe with a prophecy pattern for the protection of B.G. personnel has long been appreciated, but never have we seen a condition-ut-extremis with more ideal mating of person and preparation. (7.Intro)
The Bene Gesserit use myth, legend, and religion to retain power over the people. We have to ask, though: who plans far enough ahead to create a religious mythology just in case they need to use it? The Bene Gesserit. That's who.
Quote #3
"Yes, my Lord. They've a legend here, a prophecy, that a leader will come to them, child of a Bene Gesserit, to lead them to true freedom. It follows the familiar messiah pattern."
"They think Paul is this… this…"
"They only hope, my Lord." (13.59-61)
Note the words "follows the familiar messiah pattern." Here, we really see Dune's concern for a comparative study of religion. Dune isn't trying to single out any one religion; it's trying to get at the core of religion as a whole.