Most people have never heard of the Khazars, but breifly, they were a huge tribe living in what would now be eastern europe.
They were violent, pagan (loved sex, and a good party), and though they were a powerful empire - their king saw that their soceity was falling apart due to over indulgence, and internal dicension. The solution? He decided to institute a 'state religion'. He met with the 'big 3' in the neighborhood - Christians, Muslims, Talmudists (the term Jew wouldn't come into usage until much later) and decided to go with the Talmudists, fearing he would start a war if he chose one of the other two. These were the descendants of many of the Jews from that part of the world.
Most people are also not familiar with the Gnostic Gospels or other 'early' Christian writings. These, according to many religious scholars are more directly relating to the teachings of the then 'Rebbe Jesus', and are filled with his sayings (in Aramaic). When the desire to establish centralized churches (there was much fighting over who was authentic) came into being, along with the spread of chritianity, and translations, to Greek, etc. - it became convenient to 'edit', 'add', and 'interpret' the bible in ways that maximized authoritarian control. Many of the new 'interpretations' of the Bible are exactly CONTRARY to the actual teachings of Jesus. There are many examples, but most notably - It is central to the Gnostics that the way to God, and for that matter to 'Jesushood' was through direct knowledge that could only be gotten by oneself - not through submission.
The misuse of religion is a fine and time tested way to create an authoritarian state, backed by God, and interpreted by the majority in power.
In his day, Jesus spent many words denouncing the Pharisees - who had so much in common with today's evangelicals it would stand up the hair on your arms.
Monied powers co-opting/colluding with the states most popular religion in an effort towards national or world dominance is nothing new.
There are a few key differences this time, and I have no idea how they will factor in or play out - maybe one of you do?
1 The richest empire in history (with a wealthy middle class)
2 The fattest empire in history
3 The most 'in debt' empire in history
4 The most technologically advanced empire in history (let's include the internet in this one for convenience)
5 The most powerful military in history (nukes included)
6 The largest percentage of a nation's population imprisioned in history
If anyone thinks this is a maintainable infrastructue I would like to know how.
And lastly, this may seem unrelated, but somehow - in my world view it fits: A few years ago Glade came out with a plug in air freshener, it was then that I thought we had stepped over the line.