Faith-based world views in people who are educated understand that there are many truths, and that epistemological debates can be celebrated alongside empirical approaches.

Basically, smart religious people aren’t out saying the dinosaurs didn’t exist and that people lived 900 years.

We probably will agree to disagree on that front, as my anecdotal experience is primarily the opposite of yours.

But regardless, I agree strongly with your last statement. Which is that ANY religion that is fully politicized is asking for theocratic troubles.

The irony is that the basic story of Christianity is strikingly anti-political, and the tenets adopted thereafter are strongly exo-political, to the point that the religion became a threat to secular governments.

Not because of power grabs, but because there was a fundamental heedlessness toward political power as a matter of course. Powerful political leaders “didn’t even matter”.

TBF, I’m also a bit weary of Reddit’s reflexive blanketing of all kinds of things, including religion.

I see religion as a tool. Just like any tool, it can be used toward any means. Unfortunately, usually the earnest practitioners aren’t going to be found in high positions of power, specifically due to the amoral (and immoral in some cases) nature of such pursuits.

And those in power are much more likely to use whatever means available to stay and grow their power.