"Moderate Indonesia": Two Evangelists beaten and arrested

[Honey Bear]

Originally Posted by Major How do you propose to do this? You're more likely to eradicate poverty than religion - at least there's a theoretical method for doing that.

Show them the rewards a western education reaps... and the misery of their current condition. Basically, bombard them with reality through the mass media to lighten the weight of a religious affiliation on your shoulders. Let them use religion as as supplement - not a complete diet. Otherwise you have too many illiterate fanatics like Mathloom with a ton of energy going in the wrong direction, looking for scapegoats.

Naturally this requires government compliance, and in "republics" the so called government is elected by the people. Democracy, in the current state of ignorance, just isn't an option. The rapid modernization of Malaysia under Mahatir Mohammed is the best example of what a country is capable of under a strict authoritative regime that doesn't emphasize religion, but rather capitalism.

During Mahathir's tenure as Prime Minister, Malaysia experienced rapid modernisation and economic growth, and his government initiated a series of bold infrastructure projects. He was a dominant political figure, winning five consecutive general elections and seeing off all of his rivals for the leadership of UMNO. However, his accumulation of power came at the expense of the independence of the judiciary and the traditional powers and privileges of Malaysia's royalty. He also deployed the controversial Internal Security Act to detain activists, non-mainstream religious figures, and political opponents including his sacked deputy, Anwar Ibrahim. Mahathir's record of curbing civil liberties and his antagonism to western diplomatic interests and economic policy made his relationships with the likes of the US, Britain and Australia difficult.

Poverty isn't going away... anytime soon.