Reply #7: History will tell what was the most successful policy.

[Proletariatprincess]

The USA is a very young country and is facing it's demise in short order. China has lasted thousands of years.
In principal, freedom of worship is certainly the most enlightened track, but it hasn't saved us from religious extremeism and, in my opinion, an unhealthy connection to our politics. The history of the Western world has been full of strife brought about by organized religion. Banning all organized religion is not an option for us, but it is declining in every western country except the USA.
The chinese have chosen another route and who are we to say that it will not serve that society better in the long run? We just don't know. But believers always think they have all the answers anyway. I just wish that religion was as private and personal as one's most intimate relationships and nobody elses business. Even in China there would be nothing to complain about.
As George Carlin said: Religion is in your heart and God is in the bushes.