Does Religion Belong In Politics?

Question

Consider that most Abolitionists (people who wanted to free the slaves) were the "religious right" of the time, and that Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for civil rights on the philosophical platform that man's laws were out of step with God's laws.

Knowing that a removal of Religion from politics would discount these two HUGE civil rights victories, can it still be said that politics is better without religion?

Answer 1

Religion can NOT be removed from politics.

Even in America, where we are the most secular nation, we are still represented by people. And people hold views. And the views that people hold, are, in part, influenced by their religion.

Answer 2

I think it is a bit simplistic to argue whether 'religion belongs in politics' per se. Given that politics, by definition is the "art or science of government or governing, especially the governing of a political entity, such as a nation, and the administration and control of its internal and external affairs"...it is hard to argue that peoples values can not be a basis for such governance.

For many, if not most people, their values are partially defined by their religion. Hence religion can not be anything other than a part of politics.

HOWEVER, when it comes to the preaching of a certain religion, then I would agree that it should have little if anything at all to do with politics. After all, why should the teaching/preaching of any set of values have anything to do with the art of governing.

I believe that this distinction , while subtle, is important. Hence any society that truly believes itself to be non-secular will separate "church/temple/mosque/synagogue etc" from all State institutions.

Answer 3

Religion is a part of politics, they can not be separated. We are a Nation that was founded on Moral Values, Decency and the rule of law. Gods laws will always play a part in Politics. A Godly man would not lie with every word form his mouth, as Bush and his cronies do. A Godly man knows how he has been told in the Bible he must treat the poor. A good a decent man knows that Women should be equals not servants.
Above all, God gave us Commandments to live our life by, these were not requests these are Gods Laws. Jesus was asked once. Lord what is the most important commandment? His reply. Love they neighbor as they self". In Iraq since Desert Storm 300,000 to 500,000 civilians have died in the Republican war, that is not a Godly act of Godly men and women. No one knows how many were in fact "terrorist", no one. We do know that many were women and children. We also know that the dead are in fact "liberated". We also know that the Iraq war will cost working class tax payers $2 trillion over 10 years and in the end, no matter what we do there, Iran will control Iraq, Iraq is in civil war now, that will last 10 years. We have 19,000 wounded and 2603 dead. These are not Godly acts.

Answer 4

no it shouldn't because religion is something that people hold dear in their hearts. BUT the reason why religion plays a huge part in politics is becuase religious people who vote want politicians who share their beliefs so that in their eyes this country (or any country) can become more righteous in the religious sense.

And while yes removing religion would discount both civil rights and slavery victories, human rights would go into play. and obviously people would see that people are people regardless of religion

Answer 5

You are right these two movements were started by religious people. But these great people never tried to force their religious beliefs onto others as the religious leaders of today. The religious leaders of the past did what they believed was morally right. And created a movement that included peoples of different faiths and backgrounds.

Religion does not belong in politics. Only the compassion, patience, and peace that some religions teach belong in politics.

Answer 6

Religion and politics can never truly be separated because each person that has faith in a religion has a right to their part of the political process. That is why the United States has its first amendment. To prevent the establishment of a state religion, and to ensure each individual the right to worship in any manner they choose. Throughout history, whenever a state and religion joined as a single entity, the results have been violence and persecution of those outside the state religion.

Answer 7

Religion should keep out of politics. The government should not give special advantages to religion. In most cases, this leads to them giving favourable treatment to their own religion, while not giving the same benefits to other religions (i.e. with the ten commandments - no other religion is likely to have their laws displayed on public buildings).

Most democratic governments have the Separation of Church and State written into the constitution. It's high time they started following it.

www.secular.org.au

Answer 8

You gave two very good examples when religion has been used for a good cause.
there are, unfortunately, also good examples when religion has been used in a bad way. The crusades during medieval times is one example. Terror acts commited by religious fanatics (AL-Qaida suicide bombers) is another.

Then you don't need religion to commit horrible acts. Hitler and the holocaust and Stalin's purges are two examples of that.

Argument exist for bot sides. I personally, however, believes that religion doesn't belong in politics. The world has become to secular and multireligous nowadays

Answer 9

Well our founding fathers said nothing of removing religion from politics they only stated that politics could not dictate a national religion. They wanted you to be able to pick and choose your religion based upon your beliefs.

Answer 10

Religion should not be mixed with politics because it delves on the belief in good and morality while politics is connected with the administration of government. It is separation of state from the church.