religion has been a tool to control the masses for thousands of years. does the leadership of the palestinian organization, i mean the ones at the top, truly believe in their religion. or are they after money or power? religion is a means to acheiving evil unlawful ends. but is it an end in itself, for the most corrupt people at the top? if so , to what extent?
Xanthippa says:
I suspect this is very individual to each person….
Having said this, I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. People can honestly believe in their religion and use it to justify their pursuit of power and money.
Xanthippa's Chamberpot 
November 27, 2012 at 22:44
i’m curious, xan.
religion has been a tool to control the masses for thousands of years. does the leadership of the palestinian organization, i mean the ones at the top, truly believe in their religion. or are they after money or power? religion is a means to acheiving evil unlawful ends. but is it an end in itself, for the most corrupt people at the top? if so , to what extent?
Xanthippa says:
I suspect this is very individual to each person….
Having said this, I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. People can honestly believe in their religion and use it to justify their pursuit of power and money.
November 28, 2012 at 21:11
Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.
— Seneca the Younger (circa 4 BC – 65 AD)