Pilot terrifies passengers

I'm not questioning the fact; faith can be placed into politics - I'm merely commenting on the fact that no-one thinks an economic system is infallible... Placing the same level of faith as one does in religion is almost impossible.

the level of conversation got a bit tedious

lol @ poppycosh... not heard that for a while...

I accept your points, and i'm not going to pretend to be an expert, but I feel a religion and governmental systems are different on so many levels, comparisons are possible, of course... but they are fundamentally different. I would argue religion, politics and science can be seen as a collective system, affecting each other in many complex ways.

While our county is a traditionally Christian country... it no longer functions as one (church attendances down, alternative lifestyles on the up etc). Islamic countries are run by regimes 'claiming' to follow Muslim ideals but you and I both know the contradictory nature of these governmments. I guess we are debating similar points but obviously have different base level views that affect our arguments... however reading this thread I do feel as if I am being 'educated'

There are many non-secular countries all around the world, from roman catholic countries like Southern Ireland and Brazil too muslim states like Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan... Despite democratic appearnces in many countries like Israel and Turkey regional laws are tangled up with religious morallity.

Religion is often manipulated by the ruling class, but this doesn't effect the day to day faith the masses place in it.

Agreed. There are many examples of ruling classes using religion as a means to control the populace. With scientific and technological progress in developed countries leading to an arguably better educated society, the 'need' for religion can diminish. Whearas in under-developed nations where corrupt and/or troubled regimes still hinder development, religion is persued by the masses with such blind faith and vigour, and in many ways this is admirable... but the regimes know this and can use it to their own benifit.

how do u explain southern ireland then?

Every system throws out erroneous results...