Religion divides people and causes conflict.

Please don't ever compare legitimate religions to to koolaid drinking cults and especially do not compare it to the entertainment industry which has sadly developed a fanatic following. My devotion to my religion is not anything like the fanatacism shown toward Hollywood Icons and should not be thought of in the same realm. This shows a complete lack of experience and understanding of the range in kinds of religious following that exist in the world around you. I know that you think you are being cute with that kind of a remark but it shows your bigotry. And BTW by going to his movies and with buying all the merchandise sold by Steven Spielberg it is safe to say we support him as well. I do not think he runs hospitals, schools, soup kitchens and has huge groups fo people who will be willing to do yard and household maintainence work for those in need the way many of the local churches where live do. Also BTW supplies are purchased with weekly donations.

I have never been instructed to blow anybody up on Sunday or any other day. Check your history even atheists are capable of violence. Hate is not a by product of religion but a twisted interpretation of religion can be dangerous. Going to church on a Sunday ,or not, is a choice. I have never blindly followed rules or traditions ever and am probably more idividualistic than you will ever be because I can respect and learn from everyone's beliefs. You seem more fanatical in your beliefs than anyone I encounter at my church or anyone elses. I do not know anyone who is a cult follower and I find it interesting that as an athiest you do.

To start off I don't understand people in religions around our county. I have heard of people blowing themselves up in the name of there god. They have learned all of there lives that there god is better then them and they should do what there god tells them too. If this dose not sound like a cult I do not know what dose. With the the steven spielberg yes he is a star that is loved by the public. He puts money to charity and puts money in cureing diease's. stars have fans and the fans love them. But if you think that god is telling you to go to church on sunday I think you are supporting your cult

Was it the lack of religion that made things grey? Allowing religion, does this mean all religions, including Islam? or just Christian religions.

Yes the Soviets oppressed all religious expression especially catholicism (people loyal to a Pope Could not allow that) and especially judaism. Faith can be misused to oppress but it can also be uplifting. Crushing religion crushes spirits, pardon the pun.

Taking away freedoms never help anyone except the ruling class. The communist system used by the Soviets was so inherently corruptible that the nation was doomed to start. Depriving the people of their right to express themselves in whatever fashion they choose was one of many mistakes made, but It certainly was not the only one. When the people themselves, enlightened enough to do away with the religious divisions that plague our culture, that will start to cure the sickness of humanity.