Dear Steve,
Is religion really part of the problem?
Atheists Stalin and Mao used these methods as well.
Best, Michael
Dogma is the problem, religion and nationalism are it's forms.
Dogma creates a darkness of understanding that can only grow, as it nature is to prevent the shedding of light on (the questioning of) it's contents. And once people are placed in the dark and must trust their leaders (whether priests or political demigods) for vision, all is lost.
Sadly, most people seem to instinctively be drawn to this state of affairs. Those that don't find it in religion often find it in nationalism.
But there's an old saying that any stigma will do to beat a dogma.
Dear Steve,
Well said! I fully agree.
The only good dogma is libertarian dogma.
Best, Michael