[Blarg]

I think your question presupposes tremendously an answer that shares your politics/religion, because any other pretty much goes off the wall.

On another note re the "just business" idea, The Don always told Michael, "Everything is personal." This was one of the bigger themes of the film, too. I find it hard to believe you overlooked that, which is another reason I think you're folding your own personal religion and politics into the question far too much to expect to get that good an answer. You'll probably get preaching to the choir answers, because it's a preaching to the choir question.