Can a Country be Built on Religion?

I will start off with some questions: Can a country be run by a religion? Should the head of state and the head or the church hold the same power or position? What consequences does doing this impose?

Religion and Ruling seldom go hand in hand without intervention. During the Medieval age, kings were often seen as being "chosen by god," while this did increase their power to dietial (?) heights, it did limit them in some of the more *frivolous* activities. Some nobles got so pissed off that they formed their own religion solely to promote their aims. Henry the VIII of England (link) found it necessary, because of his 6?!?! wives to slaughter off most of the Protestant followers, preach the virtues of Catholicism to all who would listen, and declare himself the both the spiritual and political leader of England. He wasn't very committed though because on his deathbed, he converted back to being a Protestant.

Henry the VII, a fat vain king who never seemed to find the right lady.

Religion is usually seen as a form of rebellion. A sort of appeal to a higher authority. Here are some examples:

• Christ, in his day, was seen as many things. To his followers he was a martyr, to his family (yes he did have family) he was the miraculous child, and finally to the leaders of those days, he was a rebel. That is why they crucified him later.
• Muhammad, also a rebel, is said to have been met with criticism when he first began to preach. He, like Christ, was forced out of several cities because of his views.

For this reason, I believe that a stable country does not need to have a widely-practiced religion. A small order of monks that people may join by their own choice would be perfect. So, after that very long-winded post, I put forward the Dalai Lama and Buddaism as the best approach to religion.

That is how religion would look like in my ultimate country, only without the exile and occupation part...
torwch