For Communist revolutionary Mao Zedong, religion was the opiate of the people.  Now that Mao is dead, however, he has for some of his more devout followers become an object of religious veneration. 

Pictured here:  a Mao pendant often used as a safety charm, akin to the Catholic St. Christopher's medal.  For more on Mao as a pop culture icon, check out this article on Mao trinkets from today's New York Times.