Thinking about the world today, I think it would be quite valuable to do a map of religious liberalism. A definition of battle-lines if you'd like. It would be based on four criteria.

1. Individual Freedom. This would be from the Heritage list, it is centered on economic not political freedom, but is very well compiled.)
   
2. Social Power of Religion. This is a good thing, the moral power of religion (whether Shinto or Xtian or Jewish, providing an anchor for society. This would be based on subjective analysis.
   
3. Physically Coercive Power of Religion. This is a bad thing. It could be subjectively measured by state-imposed religion (Iran or Saudi Arabia being prime examples) or on religion with state-like powers (honor killings in Jordan or perhaps secratarian violence against religious minorities, for example).

By combining these three elements we could map the world by four broad classes and various shades. They would include:

1. Religious liberal states (US, Japan?, Eastern Europe...)
   
2. Secular liberal states (Netherlands, Canada?...)
   
3. Secular communal states (North Korea, Cuba, France?, Germany?...)
   
4. Religious communal states (Saudi Arabia, Iran etc....)
   

It is my position that this analysis could develop into a stunning map of the ideological battelines facing the world today. Care to help me carry it out?

Joseph  ¶ 2:45 AM