Bruin Alliance of Skeptics and Secularists

Yes, it’s May Day again, and communist activist groups are again out in the streets in droves. But elsewhere in the world, impoverished North Korea remains a reminder of the disconnect between the idealistic rhetoric of Communist leaders and how these concepts are actually put into action.

Despite not being Korean myself or having any family members in the quixotic Communist regime, I have expressed an interest in what many consider to be the last Stalinist regime in the world - North Korea. Kim Jong Il, as many of you know, is the absolute dictator of the nation and inherited the dynasty from his late father, Kim Il Sung.

So what does this have to do with religion? Well, as with most figureheads of conventional religions, the Kims have enjoyed a cult of personality during their reign essentially elevating both leaders to the status of God-Kings. Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of all of this is that - despite being impoverished and starving - the North Koreans look upon the two leaders as God-Kings who can do no wrong. Yes, Lil’ Kim has his own creation myth:

But harmless myth is one thing. Importing luxury Mercedes Benz automobiles and hundreds of thousands of dollars of Hennessey a year while your people starve is another. As with many countries run by egotistical dictators, such measures were not taken in the interests of the nation, but rather to preserve the image of Dear Leader as a dear leader. In this last respect, North Korea tries (but fails) to hide from the rest of the world the consequences of living under a delusional God-King -
(WARNING: At least ten times as sad as the Joy Luck Club, and 100% real to boot)