Another theme that emerges in the novel is the misuse of religion to further the desires and ideas of a particular group of people.

In Gilead, government and religious thought have become one entity. This particular religious sect has inserted its platform into every facet of society, and shockingly, women like Offred have become enslaved for the purpose of producing children whom they are then forced to happily donate to these same religious leaders.

But it's only shocking in hindsight. Offred realizes that society allowed these changes by degrees. The eventual outcome was preceded by small concessions along the way. Offred recalls her mother saying, "Humanity is so adaptable...Truly amazing, what people can get used to, as long as there are a few compensations."

Because no one cared about the small concessions, Gilead is transformed into a world where Marthas (named after the Biblical Martha who was busy in the kitchen preparing for Christ's visit) are forced servants in the kitchen and Handmaids are repeatedly raped in the bedroom—and all in the name of religious principles like forgiveness and charity.

The novel doesn't denounce religion, as Offred herself turns to it in chapter 30, praying for God to "deliver us from evil" and telling Him that he must feel pretty "ripped off" with the way humanity has turned out.

Instead, the novel stands as a warning against those whose actions do not stand in harmony with the religions they claim to espouse. It also issues a caution against the dangers of allowing manipulative groups to erode civil liberties not in one fell swoop—but in many, almost imperceptible, ways which go unnoticed by the majority.