Should Religion Never Be Mixed With Politics ?

Question

There are quite a few countries that are ruled by Religious People including the Vaticans, many Muslim countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, The Middle East etc....

Does anyone wonder if the country will be better if Religions are not mixed with Politics and are governed without any religious intervention. An example of a muslim lady converting to Catholics will solicit death threats for commiting apostasy.

How many here will believe that it is possible for such countries will begin to change their policital system ?

Answer 1

Religion shouldn't be mixed with politics for a few reasons- conflict of interest for one, different needs and perspectives for another

Answer 2

The founding fathers of this country didn't believe that religion should not be mixed with politics. Many of them believed that religion provided the moral compass that would help to limit corruption in the government. (Read Washington's farewell address for just one example of this attitude.) What our founders feared was one religion dominating the government. This was the true purpose of the clauses in the constitution that speak about religion. The first amendment to the constitution was not meant to separate religion from government. It was meant to keep government from unduly supporting one religion over all of the others. Indeed, the constitution specifically forbid religious tests with respect to government jobs and offices.

For those that say that there is supposed to be a complete separation between church and state, let me ask you to consider something. The body that actually wrote the Bill of Rights was the first Congress of the United States. So, these are the men who would have best know what they meant by, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...." (The first amendment) Do you know what other act the first Congress instituted? They created the offices of House and Senate Chaplains (one for each house). If these men, who had written the first amendment, had wanted a complete separation between church and state, then why did the create such overtly religious offices within their own branch of the government?

No, these men believed that religion was important to good government. So do I. What is to be feared is either one religion dominating the government or religion being excluded completely from the government. One other person said that allow religion to be involved that it would limit perspectives. I say just the opposite is true. If you force religion out of government, then you are the one who is limiting perspective, the perspective of the various religions. They can have as much to add to the debate as the atheists do.

Answer 3

Yes and No. In the western world it would be a bad idea to allow religion to enter the political arena as so many faiths and races live here harmoniously. However in countries that are already religiously and politically tied, such as Saudi Arabia, Qutar, Oman etc it would be a better idea to leave the two intertwined. Religion and political seperation is an freedom that all should be able to enjoy in the western world without fear of persuction, however as evident, religious freedom in the western world is to the contary.

Answer 4

It is a false question. Atheism is a religion as much as any other belief is. So if they remove all other religions, they have really only replaced them with another. Besides, I believe that all religions besides Christianity are false. So whether people become atheist or Muslim or whatever, they still have the same fate. The biggest difference between a Muslim and an atheist is not where they are going, it is how do I help them see the truth.

Answer 5

Taking the view that politics is the arena of governing, religion can be considered to be another 'political ideology' in said arena. Secular politicians take stands on issues based on their personal principles or those of their electorate. Religious politicians base their stands on their interpretations of their religions. Even secular politicians have their own religious beliefs and those beliefs will colour their personal principles.

In other words, it is not really possible to seperate religion from politics since people who believe in a particular religion will eventually come together and form their own political entity.

An ideal and equitable form of governance is one where no particular ideology, religious or secular, is given too much dominance. All views should be expressed without fear of supression, conflicts resolved by a majority vote and the results accepted by one and all.

Answer 6

The last time I checked Malaysia was not ruled by Muslims.
There must be clear separation of church and state or you will have war. History proves that.

Right now the catholic church is actively involved with the terrorists in sri lanka.

Answer 7

Religion should not be mixed with politics. There is a conflict of interest, also it infinges on the rights of those that do not mimic the same beliefs.

Answer 8

recognised religions should be put second to politics only as a whole and not per religion.

but even so, as a whole, each recognised religion must scrutinise itself every so often to keep track of the time.

karen ng beng hong admirer

Answer 9

If religion were never mixed with politics the world would be collectively Communist

Answer 10

i dont think it should. however, i dont think its possible for it not to be. since a large percentage of the population in those countries are of one religion, naturally the religion of the majority will dominate.