Is America a nation that is deeply religious where moral values are held in high regard, or are we pretending to have religious values?

Such a question may seem shocking given how Americans love their faith, but then it becomes obvious when one understands the greed that has polluted the moral fabric of our society.

Most of the major religions of the world have condemned greed, lust and gluttony. But in America, this has become the norm of the society. Rather than using religion as guidance for one to set the standards of his or her values, it has become a tool for one to appease his or her sins. If you want proof, look at the politicians and business leaders in the news, then compare how openly faithful they are versus the controversy regarding their unethical actions.

The best example to look at is Erik Prince, a devout Catholic who is board member of Christian Freedom International as well as the founder of Blackwater USA (now called Xe). Prince has been under investigation by the Justice Department with regard to massacres perpetrated in Iraq by Blackwater mercenaries (as defined by the Oxford Dictionary and the Geneva Code).

This obviously goes against the teachings of the Catholic Church, which has condemned acts of genocide along with apologizing for its past sins or blunders.

In a less extreme example, one could look at the sex scandals that have plagued the Republican Party. At a time when the GOP is in decline and desperate for power, Mark Sanford had to put South Carolina in panic so he could get a quickie in Argentina.

But public and business figures are not the only ones who are faking their religious values. American society itself is guilty of bastardizing religion.

In a 2009 survey by CNN of 742 people, 52 percent of those who attend church regularly supported the use of torture. Oh, and don’t forget the eight murders and 217 acts of terrorism committed by pro-life activists, according to the National Abortion Federation (notice the irony).

So who is to blame? We could say it’s American society not wanting to change its ways so they indulge themselves in religion. Or you can just blame Jerry Falwell and Ayatollah Khomeini.

If Americans really want to emrace their religion properly, then they should actually try and be decent people. Rather than listening to some fraudulent televangelist, try volunteering at organizations that help under-privileged people.

However, if religion is going to be used as a tool by society to hide its lack of moral fiber while leaders use it to fool a greater power, then pawn your tickets to the second coming and instead just sit back and watch the world burn.