Wolfgang..I see no inconsistancy in George's position.
He was expressing a personal opinion on everyones right to practice the religion of their choice, while still maintaining that the process of Govt. should be free from religious interference.

This reasoning of course dosn't apply to countries like Iran and Iraq, where Islam is perceived as more than simply a religion and more a way of life to most of the population.
To be realistic, it will take many decades to separate church and state in these countries. Unless the Americans decide to re-install Saddam!!
George is enough of a pragmatist to realise this ,even if others miss the point.

George Galloway's reference to the "catastrophic demise of the Soviet Union",was in my opinion intended as a pointer to what was to take its place.
There was an interesting piece in the Times last week,detailing the plight of the Gdansk shipyard workers, who with their trade union "Solidarity" were instrumental in the overthrow of the Communist govt.
These same workers are now part of the "20% and rising" unemployment figures in Poland, as jobs are hived off by private companies to other countries with cheaper labour costs.

Even that hero of Western capitalism, Lech Walenska when interviewed admitted that "perhaps they had been wrong".

So you see Wolfgang George is correct in claiming to be "not the only one".
George's rhetoric cuts through New Labour's hypocricy like a knife through butter. He may not have all the answers but he has the ability to inspire people to see a future beyond the trough set down by capitalist economics and in times like these we need all the inspiration we can get.....Ake