The state as a religion, some thoughts. The below fresco is called the Apotheosis of Washington and is located in the Capitol Rotunda of the US Capitol building. It depicts George Washington as he ascends into heaven on a cloud.

He is flanked by two female figures representing Liberty and Victory/Fame.

It is a painting you would expect to see in a church or temple and the depiction of Washington as a God like figure has striking similarities to the ascension of Jesus. (or Mohammed)

It is therefore no surprise to find out that the Capitol building is in fact a temple. The Masons who claim to have designed it (there is no reasons to doubt this), claim it is based on Solomon's Temple.

The problem with this is that it looks nothing like what we know of Solomon's Temple. It looks exactly like a Roman Temple though. So why lie about it?

Why, if Freemasons had such a big impact on the American political scene, was the most prominent Freemason (Albert Pike) on the losing side of the Civil War?

I don't know, but it seems reasonably clear that the political system of the USA was designed to replace religion.