Originally Posted by kerry

I think most religions have a natural evolution towards cultural hegemony which includes political control. I can't think of a good example to the contrary of a successful religion which didn't intend to infuse law and politics with its metaphysics and values. Can anyone else? For instance, the only countries in the world which completely ban abortions are Catholic countries. I don't see how that can be an accident. I think that's why religions tend to be in conflict with each other and why religion and secularity are at odds. The idea of 'private' religion is a modern invention, probably largely a result of the business classes wanting to keep religion out of their affairs.