"No official proclamation has been made that Burma is a theocracy based on Buddhism. Yet religious riots and religious suppression can be seen to be a direct result of divisions between Buddhist and non-Buddhist religions. It has become clear that the ruling military regime is using religious issues for its political interests. Burmese peoples who practice other religions have suffered from repression simply because of their religion... All religions in Burma are subject to the political interests of the military regime. However the difference between suppression of Buddhists on the one hand and Christians and Muslims on the other, is that there is no intention to eliminate Buddhism, whereas suppression against Christians and Muslims is so intended. Suppression of Buddhist monks and Buddhist Burmese occurs simply because of their involvement in politics. In contrast, the suppression of Muslims and Christians is carried out to undermine their religions, so that Buddhism will remain as the dominant, and perhaps become the exclusive, religion. The promotion of Buddhism by the military regime at the expense of other religions is undertaken to increase Burmese nationalism based on Buddhism. Religions in Burma have been divided into Buddhist and non-Buddhist. There is enough evidence to conclude that as long as the military regime is in power, religion in Burma will be divisive and oppressive..."