Why should politics in America be a very religious affair?

Question

Religion in America infuses politics to a degree not found in most other industrialized nations of the West. The label godless, and especially godless liberal, are epithets. The truth is that there is nothing about being a "godless liberal" or having a secular democracy which is incompatible with the basic political values of America: individual rights, religious liberty, and personal autonomy. So what is the confusion?

Answer 1

There is no confusion to those of us who think with our minds and our hearts and don't let others do the thinking for us. Politics should absolutely not be a religious affair. I live in a democracy, not a theocracy.

Answer 2

The confusion is when we (America) said they wanted to keep religion seperate from state. Meaning that if we add religion with politics then that would mean that more religions would have a bigger say so on what goes on in this country...If you look at the countries that allow religion to be part of there political agenda you can see how much of it has caused a big mess of things. Religion is fine in its personal place I don't think that religion should be part of politics and yes it does tend to confuse people in general on the real issues that effects our country.

For those who consider American liberals as Godless then maybe they should take a long good look at themselves and ask the same question that they are willing to put out there for everybody else to read and comment on. I am a Liberal/Independent but that doesn't mean that I am Godless does it? No it doesn't I go to church and worship and still have the same ideas and beliefs as everybody else do. Our values in America has gone down the drain and not one politician is really willing to address these issues they are so busy into everything else for example the senator that got caught cybercheating on the internet! I say who cares if he wants to talk dirty and live a little outside his political life let him to me it isn't anybodies busy but his own. The politicians spent millions of dollars just to track this mans conversations and tell me did that make any sense to you? I know it didn't for me, and others who thought the same thing. But as I told you before this countries values have diffinitely gone down the tubes. As far as individual rights, and personal autonomy and religious liberty well as you can see our society has gotten to a point that it really doesn't matter anymore because if we ever decided to put religion in with politics watch and see how many people hurry up and call foul?

To conclude when you look at America and you compare it to other industrialized nations you can see that we are still very much behind the loop in many areas.
Personally Politics should stay personal and government should do what they should be doing and that is there jobs. And not in every Tom, Dick and Harry's business.

Answer 3

Because religion gave birth to politics. See the rise of the Muslim empire. Religion first, political conquest second. Don't know if you've ever read the Bible but back when Israel first started it was ruled by prophets. But the people wanted a king. They wanted a government like the other countries. When the Separatists first landed in this country, they came for religious freedom, but first drew up the Mayflower Compact, a political document. With religion and politics there has to be a balance. Too much religion equals anarchy. See the Taliban. Too little religion equals anarchy. See the French Revolution. So there has to be some religion. For a contemporary example of lack of religion in government and in society, see what's happening in the Uk. England is turning into a Politically Correct nightmare. Very frightening.

Answer 4

The confusion, I think, often starts on the Religous side. Many claim that their views are the views of the Bible even though there is little or nothing to support such claims. They also fail to see that no goverment is God's government. The Bible doesn't mention pollitics, it mentions love and support of others.

The United States is viewed as a Christian nation by its own people and those around them, even though they clearly don't live out the values set up by Jesus Himself. Just look at the divorce rate in this country. Look at the homeless and poverty rates.

I hate to use terms like the "religious right" but they've picked and chosen which sins they'd like to battle and ignored those that don't fit into their stock portfolio. Those more on the "left" are labeled anti-Christian when they point out all the other causes that could use our time and money.

Answer 5

Religion seems to have infiltrated into American politics in recent years which is a very disturbing phenomenon. The cause perhaps is America's very liberal immigration policy of many decades which resulted in import of manpower from throughout the world, particularly the third world, without any prejudice to their religious ideas. The result today is a society in which religion has acquired more than its due importance. However I believe American society is still very liberal and secular and with a little effort on the part of its intellectuals it can still be saved from hazards of an overly religious society.

Answer 6

You're right and you've made a very good point. The most recent presidential election brought the faith of voters to light more than any other that I have witnessed. It was the first time that because I'm a Democrat that I was accused of being godless. Since when does Republican mean God loving and Democrat mean God hating?

Answer 7

The liberals have made Christianity an issue that is why it has become so important. The liberals (not necessarily democrats) are anti-Christian and have decided to support gay marriage and abortion. They support the ACLU and the ACLU is chartered to remove every cross, nativity scene, and Christmas tree in America. They want to have free speech to say every hatful thing they want to and don’t want to extend that freedom to anyone they disagree with. They are a hateful group of people and hate is never a good basis to govern from.

Answer 8

Religion and politics shouldn't mix, and I'm ashamed they do in this country. The issues is not only that but that we are a 'free' country with various religions AND political parties, so no one is fairly represented. I thought church and state were SUPPOSED to be separate. I guess thats just another government lie.

Answer 9

They shouldn't. Secularism is the only thing that has kept this place together as long as it has. If you don't believe me check out what happens when you throw religion and government together. Have fun living in Iran.

Answer 10

"Godless" refers to the evidenced lack of common morals and ethics that those with a solid background in any of the major religions usually have or are at least are aware of. From this "godless" stand point, some tend to vote for or advocate issues that a majority of American can not support morally.