Atheists: What would you think of a Christian religion that refuses to mix their beliefs with politics?

Question

Many (especially atheists) claim that the main problem they have with Christians in the U.S. are their attempts to make their beliefs into law, as in the case of the issues of gay marriage and abortion. How would you feel about believers that apply their beliefs to themselves alone and refuse to be mixed up in politics? Do you know of any group that does this?

Neeva C: That wasn't the point of my question at all. But, thank you for trying.

I was referring to a religion that refrained from participation in politics for religious reasons, not because they were prevented by law from participating.

I asked what you would think of such a religion or group. After all, Jesus did say that His followers would be "no part of the world."

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses are not involved in politics in any way. We don't vote, hold office, or involve ourselves in war or conflicts. We do this because we give our allegiance to God's Kingdom alone.

Nora: You said, "Collecting money, dictating behavior, designating 'in' and 'out' people and activities, and getting 'converts' or new members. All of these are POLITICAL activities."

I disagree. Accepting voluntary donations to print literature is not political. Running for office is. Teaching is not political. Voting is. Requiring that adherents live up to bible standards is not political. Fighting and killing for a country is.


Moireas : LOL So you'd be fine with them as long as they were sure to give up ALL their rights, including freedom of speech? That will never happen. We were commanded to preach. But you don't have to listen, you know. That is your right.

Answer 2

A Christian group's involvement in politics or lack thereof does not make the Christian religion true by any reasonable definition of "true."

Christianity is a fairy tale whether Christians are in power or not. Most atheists are more vocal about opposition to Christianity than other religions, at least in America, because the Christians are the ones with the most political and cultural clout, but that does not mean that atheists let their metaphysical beliefs depend on how pleasing a political group is. Otherwise, what would stop us from joining a less politically active sect?

We're atheists because we reject the idea of gods, not just because political Christians are annoying.

Answer 3

That is essentially just like the Amish. I love the Amish for that reason and have the utmost respect for them. If they don't believe in abortion or birth control, they simply don't use it. They are true to their beliefs without forcing others to be. Nor do they try to legislate death penalties for homosexuals, nor do they really intrude or make themselves a pain in the ***.

I like very much religions that keep to themselves. If somebody wants to believe the world is 4,000 years old, that's delusional but okay. Just do it privately. To be frank I still consider it harmful and problematic, and the fact of religion and advocacy of blind faith and absurdity over knowledge and reason is very detrimental to society, but I could live with them much easier if they kept to their own.

There was a quote once (I think by some humor columnist) about how great the Buddhists were because they don't try to force their beliefs on you, the opposite in fact: "I've even been to a buddhist temple and I still have no idea what their religion's about!"

Answer 4

You mean to act as if we were all on equal footing?
That would be FAIR.
As long as there was no attempt to suppress others, the conflict would be minimal.
Atheists, believe it or not, can make very rational decisions.
They are not out to get you, they only want to be realized as legitimate beings.
If you were looked down upon, and given some sort of 'lesser being' status, what would you do?
You would demand the right to be equal, right?
The fact of the matter is that as long as someone claims to have 'God' as a guiding force, they will get preferential treatment, their opinions are somehow more 'valid'.
It is ridiculous.
The people who created this country knew of this 'divine guidance' problem. Most of them were Christians, as well.
In this country, we are all supposed to be EQUAL.

Answer 5

Yes, the Amish and Mennonite religions refuse to become involved in politics. They go to great lengths not to participate in any aspect of government -- local, state, or national.

I'm not sure about the Quakers, but I was told that many of them are not politically active, either. I could be wrong about that, but I *do* know that the Amish and Mennonites do not allow themselves to participate in politics.

Answer 6

No.

Every Christian group comes from the same source--a desire to control people, their actions, beliefs and resources.

There is no Christian group that is against collecting money. No Christian group without a set of arbitrary values that favors some people (their group members) over others. There's no Christian group that refuses to recruit new members from other Christian groups or to proselytize to people from other faiths or no faith.

Collecting money, dictating behavior, designating 'in' and 'out' people and activities, and getting 'converts' or new members. All of these are POLITICAL activities.

Show me the group, the Christian religious group, that abhors and abstains from ALL of these activities. Even ONE.

Answer 7

OK but what if said religious group is advocating for democracy and the full implementation of the Constitution? Is that different than advocating for "anti" laws that restrict rights based solely on religious beliefs?

People are going to advocate for and vote for those who share common beliefs, be they secular or religious. For churches to do so becomes, to me, a question of whether or not they are attempting to write their beliefs into the law or simply advocating for fairness regardless of belief.

Answer 8

I have no objection to Christian religions at all. However, I would be inclined to think that given the human tendency to be drawn to power, "religion in service to kleptocracy" in Jared Diamond's phrase, is a difficult thing to avoid.

As long as their are humans at the head of churches, they will be subject to the allure of power.

Answer 9

Wouldn't that be refreshing, but it would need to be all Christian sects conducting themselves this way so the integrity of our political system is not skewed towards their version of theocracy instead of democracy.

Answer 10

Sure,plenty. Lutherans stay out politics,what to speak of groups like the Amish. Quakers are pacifists but other than that politically quiet. What are you suggesting,a more gentle & docile Christian? We have as much right to participate in the political process as anybody. I don't think churches should endorse candidates but people have a right to get out there and fight for what they beleive in.