I do think my "christian" world view is and has been ruthlessly used for power and manipulation.
For those who haven't studied his words about love, God, and human nature; I know how evil the catholic 'church' is and other religious bodies are and can be. I say what I say in faith and spiritual conviction. I know I cannot prove any more than recommending reading what the Bible says so I won't argue anything beyond my experience.
Some choose buddah and other similar teachings and I don't think they are damned. They are the good and unknowing that Christ came to save and give lead too.
I also don't think the religious right ever took over. I think catholic migrants moved to America in mass and thus the word of the pope was final for many. As well, in my opinion the "religious right" only seemed to take over, while in reality spiritual liberalism had grown to a mass that it could again speak back at the "church"
let me know if that makes any sense. Thcanks
I think the British form of liberalism is more of a practical thing than a religious one, but I appreciate your comment. I suppose I must feel - and an only just left-of-centre observer how the only just right-of-centre observers felt when the religious right started to take power in America. It's frightening to know that you believe what you believe, but the people you are most closely aligned to - or at least lumped in with - are now the bad guys. Insanity.