How do politics and religion go hand in hand? In other words, how does one affect the other?

Question

Think about how these two factors affected our history, not just how they're affecting us now. (And PLEASE don't give any unintelligible answers. I'm serious about this.)

Answer 1

That's a very big question, and the answer I'm about to give you doesn't do the question justice.

But in broad principles, everything we come to believe about the nature of life is going to influence our decisions, personally, socially, politically... There's no such thing as compartmentalizing out our politics from our experience or our beliefs...whether those beliefs are primarily with regard to society or spirituality or science...or whatever. They have all served to form convictions in us about what is important, and what isn't. And we take those priorities to the polls... and to political Question and Answer boards like this one. :)

That's a very short answer to a good question that deserves a more thorough answer. But I just can't commit the next year of my life to doing that. :)

Answer 2

Understanding and Perspective. While one human may see the sky as cloudy and gloomy, the farmer sees the rain that will make the plants grow, one is Understanding and has a solid Perspective. I am not to say which one, they both could. Wisdom. knowledge is a moot point until one has the wisdom to apply the correct action, or in-action. I disagree with the knowledge part, that is where I stand with wisdom, and understanding, yes education is good, yet it is wasted and abused by religious zealots that have ulterior motives. That is where the Wisdom comes back in. Love and Friendship, that is Humanity. Well hate,bigotry, war and violence is also , humans are some funny critters. I guess I would add Understanding and Wisdom. And water, a human can go months with no food, 3 days without water. I know that from experience and the wisdom.I gained.

Answer 3

Most western countries "officially" keep the two separate. However, everyone has a belief be it Christian, Muslim, Atheist or whatever and their beliefs affect the decisions they make.
In some countries religion and politics are one and the same so all decisions and laws are based on their religion. What the religious texts say (or more so how they are interpreted) is law, not just a guide.

Answer 4

Some countries religions pretty much are their governments. Their political policies are manufactured by their religions.

Religion and politics are the two worst subjects to talk about in public. There is no right and wrong with them--only opinions. Yet people will fight for either of them.

Answer 5

Well...look at how some politicians use religious beliefs to gain support over Abortion rights, death penalties, etc. They use religious propoganda to their own benefit, not keeping in mind that often a lot of people do not believe in the same things that they do. But those people are not the ones they are concerned with. Why do you think Bush appeals to the Bible thumpers in the south? He uses their religion to get his point across, to get elected.

Answer 6

Religion, all organized religion is a political tool designed by men to manipulate other men. God didn't tell people cows are sacred and not to eat pork, men told them that, so that there would be more pork and beef for the manipulators.

Answer 7

About 2 presidential elections ago the religious right has hijacked the Republican party. Now they wnat us to live by Biblical law if they elect the pope/president.

Answer 8

If you are running for office you wave the US flag and the Constitution like you are a real American.

If people consider you just an Idiot you could wave the Bible and conservatives will flock to you like stupid morons

Bush did it and won twice!