Are religious groups impacting our politics? Is it beneficial or detrimental to our policies?

Answer 1

Yes. You could see it in the election of Bush. The religious right that elected him think they have the right to make him push their policies. It is detremental. Though maybe not any more detrimental than having big business/oil impacting politics.

Can't there be some type of limits on special interest groups like Focus of the Family pushing their agenda in Washington? It's a blight on the fact of democracy when big money and influence wins power in our government . . .

Answer 2

Religious groups are definitely impacting our politics. Just look at our president, who thinks that he has a mandate from God to run this country. Look at how hard both parties courted the christian vote in the last election. Look at the debate over gay marriage, an issue that doesn't have much to do with everyday life in our country. All of this is detrimental to our society. I am a firm believer in an absolute separation of church and state. When religion run politics, you get the Taliban.

Answer 3

Yes they are. The government was founded on religion. "In God we trust" is on almost every political saying around the US. When some kids dad got pissed because the school was making him say the "Pledge of Allegiance" in class, he sued the state to get it taken out. That is ridiculous! I am a Christian and I believe in saying the pledge, but at the same time, I believe there are many different religions in the US that don't say anything with God in it. My opinion dealing with that is DON'T SAY IT! I think that the US needs to let this go and quite trying to make the country fit everyone that is complaining. When people come here, they need to conform to us, what is written in the law and what has been for a long time, not the other way around. I am not going to Mexico and telling them that I'm a Baptist and that is what I what I want the country to become. When I hear of schools taking out the Prayers, Pledge or classes that teach the concept of Christianity, why do my kids lose what they are taught because someone else doesn't believe that and its not fair to for them not to have that anymore. If it is a situation where they have be in the US for a while and they have different beliefs, then just don't do it. The United States was founded on religion over 200 years ago, why change now.

Answer 4

Yes, the religious groups are impacting our politics, and no, it's not a good thing. They are trying to legislate morality, and are equating morality with religion. The most moral people I know profess no religious beliefs. They've simply chosen to live their lives in the way that best affects themselves, others, and the world.

One major problem with religious groups impacting politics is that they are trying to legalize discrimination. If some of those oh-so-holy people had their way, it would still be illegal for a man and woman of different races to marry. They would make it illegal for the races to attend the same school. It's wrong, but they feel their faith gives them special privileges to make decisions for everyone else.

Answer 5

Of course religious groups are impacting our politics. Example: the push for an amendment banning gay marriage. It is detrimental.

Answer 6

The problem isn't religious groups per se. The problem is that during the Cold War we got so focused on the dangers of Communism that we forgot the dangers of Fascism. The Republican party has been hijacked by people who are more accurately described as fascists than as conservatives.

Answer 7

Oy vey! Detrimental. Organized religion has no place in politics, period.

Answer 8

They are having a profound effect and, in my opinion, the effect is devastating.