What empires use religion with cultural and economical imperalism?

Answer 1

Historically, the Roman Empire is the best example of an empire using their religion, culture and economics to agressively expand their empire. Wherever they conquered, they introduced their religion, culture and economics to their benefit. They did not use their citizens as a work force, they used the existing population to carry on, with the profits going back to Rome. The People's Republic of China, is agressively expanding into other countries, especially Tibet where they have very nearly succeeded in stamping out not only the Buddhist religion under the lamas but the people as well. The Republic is atheist, and have banned all religion as superstition. During the 1970s, the Chinese allowed 'freedom of religion' as long as it met with governmental policy. For example, there are two types of Catholicism, one which is 'approved' and the other which is underground and still loyal to Rome. During the recent Olympic Games in Beijing, they put on a friendly face for the world while riot squad police brutally beat Buddhist and other protesters, dragging them away in case Westerners saw it. They have used 'approved' religion, culture and economics to keep people in check. Northern Korea, with their passionate military displays are also repressing their people keeping them in check with propoganda through the local media. Northern Korea follow Marxist communism and as far as religion is concerned, they allow Buddhism, Confucianism, and tolerate Christianity. North Korea are also flexing their imperialist muscle by testing nuclear weaponry which shows they could a force to be reckoned with. In India, the Hindus are engaging in a bitter battle with Moslems with their polytheist religion and culture. The Hindus would like to see India rid of Moslems. The United States of America went blustering into Afghanistan and Iraq and now the armed forces of the The United States of America, The United Kingdom and Australia, 'the coalition of the willing' are firmly entrenched, fighting 'the war against terrorism', which will never be won. Finally, wherever other countries encroach on the territory of countries, they flaunt the wealth of the West before the people. The Middle East has now been exposed to many different cultures via the media which gives them vain hope of a 'better life'. Wherever missionaries of any religion go, they are followed by the media and their simple and uncomplicated lives are forever changed by what they seen and heard of other Western countries.