Quote Originally Posted by shikamaru View Post
Institutions are always hungry for revenue whether government or church.
All institutions are political. I consider religion another form of politics.
Yes, that would be well within the definition of the word "politics":

1
a : the art or science of government
b : the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy
c : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government

2
: political actions, practices, or policies

3
a : political affairs or business; especially : competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government)
b : political life especially as a principal activity or profession
c : political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices

4
: the political opinions or sympathies of a person

5
a : the total complex of relations between people living in society
b : relations or conduct in a particular area of experience especially as seen or dealt with from a political point of view <office politics> <ethnic politics>

Origin of POLITICS
Greek politika, from neuter plural of politikos political
First Known Use: circa 1529

source: merriam-webster dot com


The Bible defines "religion" differently though:

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world. "
James 1:27