This continues a discussion that began in General Conversation, Introductions and Humor which may be read here:

I believe we are arguing over semantics, but I feel this is a topic worthy of its own thread, so please indulge me and allow me to elaborate my point. People living under the Inquisition had no choice but to bow to Rome - does that disqualify catholicism as a religion? Or look at it this way - religion is the most powerful tool ever developed by humanity to enslave the minds and bodies of men. In the Mass Psychology of Fascism Wilhelm Reich argues that patriarchal religions are a tool for "preparing" the human mind for enslavement - the existence of the Father God gives the justification for the Kings power over the peasantry (divine right of kings) and that in turn gives justification for the father to have dominion over his wife and children (every man a king in his home). These power structures are hard wired into our politics and psychology - In modern times other concepts have evolved to replace the notion of god to justify fascism - in the Soviet model "the state" replaces god and religious worship is outlawed but the religious tactics are still used (devotion to icons, ceremony, mass recitation of propaganda) to enslave the people and quash decent.

The same tactics and methods are at work even in our "free society" in the US - arguments can be made that Lincoln was a tyrant and that the constitution hasn't mattered since his presidency. Kennedy is a reported adulterer and I am sure had many other human failings. But in the mythos of American history they fulfill rolls that you can see repeated throughout history - The Iconograpy of Lincoln on His throne (with fasces on the arms by no small coincidence) can clearly be seen as that of the stern father God who "preserved the union". The mysticism around Kennedy is fresher and less developed by he can easily be seen as the "sacrificed favored son" which is typified by the Christ Myth, his reign is already referred to as "camelot" which is where Arthur another mythical Christ/Aragaon figure who is the rightful once and future king also ruled . These are all archetypes that repeat throughout many civilizations and mythologies and have a powerful hold on the human conscious. The most recent I have noticed here in Texas is that of Selena - the young tejano star who was killed by a devoted fan - among the Hispanic population here there is already iconography of her that is nearly identical to that of the Virgin Mary or "Our Lady of Guadalupe". I am not arguing that these symbols and archetypes prove the existence of an American State Religion, only that there are religious elements and themes that can be found in the myth of any civilization and that these archetypes can be manipulated by those in power control those they rule over.

[MOD EDIT - added link to original thread to shorten width of page and fixed quotes]