What is your opinion about Church ( Religion) or Religious leaders interfering in Politics ?

Question

How good is that the religious leaders like Bishops interfering in political issues and making public statements that is actually damaging their image among the believers?. Are they really supposed to do so? Can we conclude this just underheading Politiical leadership and Spiritual leadership?. And also how good is Politics entering in to religious matters...?

Answer 1

There is a proviso in the constitution re: separation between the church and the state. But, i guess the delineation between these two is two slim as to really point out where one ends and the other begins. Religious leaders, are also part of the state and as citizens have their right to freedom of expression which cannot be abridged by the state, just because their opinions runs counter to the government's point of view. On the other hand, it is hypocrisy for the government to malign church leaders, when they contradict their views, but uses them and their flock to their own ends. However, religious leaders minus their cloak of religion are not above the rule of law, and also subject to penalty and consequences of any seditious acts.. . ruled upon by proper authorities,.

Answer 2

How can anyone TRULY believe that church and state can be completely separate? Laws are based on what you believe to be good, right and true. Your own personal belief system is what determines whether or not you are in favour of a given law. Further, religious leaders have as much right to a political opinion as any other citizen, just as political leaders have the right to attend church and express themselves spiritually.

Politics began entering religious matters when politicians began saying gay 'marriage' was equal to heterosexual marriage. Marriage has, mainly, always been between one man and one woman. Even in muslim societies which allow polygamy, it is still between a man and women, never people of the same sex.

Answer 3

The Catholics of old time interfered in the government of Italy plenty. I think men like the blacks such as Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton have a right to express an opinion or run for office, but Jesse intrudes where he is just self agrandizing. Martin Luther King intruded into politics for the benefit of his people. Some of the white religious leaders such as Jerry Falwell should keep their mouths shut about politics.

Answer 4

There is a seperation between politics and religion, almost all over the world.

Churches have nothing to tell, no voice in politics.This is the reason that the whole society is drenched in a bucket full of God.

Govenment shouldn't be allowed vote on morality.

No state has a right to interfere in body issues. This is not the state territory but a part of ones individuality.

Answer 5

Some countries, like mine, have in their constitutions that the church and state ARE separated. The church do not really have the right to interfere with LEGAL matters. But in Catholic Christian countries the church is still a big influence to people. That is where they get their dispositions and to simply deprogram people over night is next to impossible.

When issues such as death penalty or legalization of abortion are at hand, then the church jumps in to voice their opinion. That opinion is what people USUALLY believe because they use words such as "God" and "Salvation". In reality, the church is a breach in the country's political system.

Answer 6

Politics is a nasty, filthy, corrupt business and religious leaders need to stay away from it to keep themselves from being tarnished. It is not wrong for them to comment on society and even on the law making process. But to become directly involved in the political process is a no-no. Politicians need to looked after by the moral sector of our society, because if they weren't, then we would all loose our constitutional rights. Politicians do not like people running around free---this interferes with their private agendas which involve money and power and ego. The moral majority is a watchdog, a safeguard and a check and balance to outright dictatorship and slavery. The freedom of democracy is a myth---democracy has to be fought for daily.

Answer 7

If you go back and read the Old Testament prophets (Isaiah-Malachi) or examine people like Elijah, Elisha, Nathan and Samuel, almost NONE of the their prophecies were to private individuals. They were consently addressing the king and other civil and religious leaders about their politics and realtionship with God. And they were publicly calling the nation to obedience and/or repentance. They acted as tne moral and spiritual anchor for the goverment of their nation.

Why do we think that should change?

Answer 8

it is great that you can take away free speech from people because they are religious. the first amendment first right is the right of freedom of religion. so to say that religion can be restricted to in church. then freedom of speech should be limited to just the capital building. it is wild to believe that our founding fathers would have restricted people of faith from being in politics, since 52 out of the 56 man that signed the Declairtion were what would be considered the religious right. the idea of a wall of seperation of church and state is not found in constitution but in a letter from Thomas Jeffeson. here is what John Adams said.

we have no government armed in power capable of contendind with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. it is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.


or Noah Webster


The moral principles and precepts contained in the scripture ought to form the basis of all our civil onstititions and laws. All the miseries and evil man suffer from man vice,crime,ambition,injustice,... ,slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the bible.

Answer 9

Religious leaders should worry about the spiritual, not the temporeal, but as long as they are human, they will feel the need to do so.
This is the reason I don't go to a church. Too much politiking.
We have Rod Parsley here in Ohio and he tries to stick his nose in everything. Personally, I think its just so he can feel important.
Talk about being an egotist.

Answer 10

The moment any thing political is mentioned from any religious podium in the country, that congregation should immediately lose their tax exemption for a minimum of 10 years.