Do you think people should mix their religious beliefs with their political views?

Question

I have asked this question once before, but I never really got an answer.

For those who said it's impossible...no it's not. There are Christians, (it's an example, please don't take it personal) that believe women should have the right to choose if she wants an abortion or not, even though, they themselves won't have an abortion.

Answer 1

No, I think they should be seperate issues. You can be a Christian, and believe in a woman's right to choose. Your political views should have nothing to do with your religious beliefs. How you vote, and your political stance should have everything to do with your lively hood, the economy etc... In the 2004 Presidential election a lot of churches encouraged their perish members to vote republican, because a republican President (Bush) won't allow same sex couples legal marriages. At this time we were a year into an illegal war, the economy and jobs were at a low. They were out-sourcing jobs, elderly people has to choose between eating or living by purchasing much needed medication. Are we much better off today, NO!
And guess what, I still kiss my girlfriend, but gas is almost $4.00 a gallon. FEMA screwed up the relief efforts in New Orleans after Katrina, over 3300 troops have been killed in an illegal war, Osama Bin Laden is still on the run, Al Qaeda now exist in Iraq, the Taliban is back up and running, Two coubtries now have nuclear capabitlities. Everyone doesn't have health care, the boarders aren't secure. A man on the NO fly list flew to several different countries( if he can do it, so can a terrorist. And last but not least the war on terror is non-existing.......
NOW, my last statement should show that it is possible to have political views without bringing religion into the mix!!

Answer 2

No. I absolutely do NOT think that people should "mix" their religious beliefs with their political views. I won't get into a huge explanation of why I believe this... I will simply leave you with an example...

Consider the United States and the many Christians who are in this country. What if there were political candidates who believe that men have the right, according to the Holy Bible, to beat their wives into submission? And what if the majority of Christian men in this country agreed with them and voted in their favor based upon their Christian beliefs? That's a mighty large number of votes for people who wish to ensure that women are robbed of their rights based upon religion.

Think about this, too.... The KKK is comprised of self proclaimed "Christians". Perhaps not each and every person claiming to be a KKK member- but Christianity is what the group claims to base their belief system on. And the KKK was once a HUGE part of our political system. At one time, anyone would be hard pressed to name a political figure who did not have some sort of ties to the KKK. I'm sure you understand my point.

It is very possible for people to not "mix" their religious beliefs with their political views, however, the "types" of people who I gave as examples above are not likely to do so. This is precisely why government, and any political system other than direct democracy, does not work- because there will always be those who have far less rights than others, or no rights at all, since there will always be those who vote for candidates based upon religious beliefs. Religion and morality have no place in the law. And they cannot be fairly legislated since so many people believe differently. The only fair way to represent all people and guarantee a greater chance at equality is self-governace, direct democracy, and libertarian socialism. Such would not be a perfect system, as no system could possibly be perfect. But it would provide greater freedom and much less inequality.

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Someone said the following.....

"I mean, most religious people believe that religion is the end all, be all issue of their life... and they should put nothing before God...

so how could they not mix the two if everything must go through your God?

it might be easier if they didn't, but I don't know how a religious person could really separate the two..."


And this is my response....
How can a Christian NOT seperate the two? After all, according to their beliefs, "God" has granted us all free-will, meaning that "He" wants us to CHOOSE to do what is "right" and follow "Him".

Honestly, I believe in the Christian God and many Christian teachings. But I have the common sense to know that, for one, nothing with regards to such beliefs can be proven (which is what makes them beliefs rather than fact) and, for another, that my beliefs are just that- beliefs- and shouldn't be a factor in determining how others should live.

Answer 3

I don't think that they should, because then politicians are forcing their religious beliefs on another. Which is illegal (Freedom of Religion:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_religion),
which states that a person has a right to form personal religious beliefs according to his or her own conscience, and to try and make a law based you one personal religious beliefs is in violation of that law because with the freedom of religion also comes the right NOT to practice religion or to believe in a Deity and those people who feel that way have a right to live life as they see fit. For instance their are some politicians who believe their should be prayer in the schools. Well who's prayer are you going to say, the Christians? the Muslims? the Jews? what if their is a child that is atheist or agnostic, then what are you going to force a montage of religions down his throat or if some religion is different from another are you going to include all those religions? I mean Muslims pray 5 times a day at 5am, 12 noon, 3pm, 6pm and bedtime. so are you going to stop class and soccer practice at 12noon, 3pm, & 6pm so they can pray? and christians they can pray whenever the "spirit" hits them to do so and for how long they need to, well if a 4th grade teacher got "hit" w/ the spirit for 3 hours does she do her thing while all the 4th graders sit thier in amazement. So all in all I say thier should always be a separation of church and state.

Answer 4

No, religion should not be mixed with politics and this is why: 1) The U.S. Constitution is based on equal rights for everyone which is why there is suppose to be a separation of church and state. If you mix politics and religion you are systematically discriminatiing against everyone that is not part of the religion of the ruling government because policies will be based on the ruling party's religious stand. 2) The reason Bush got into office is because he claimed to be a christian. Now look what he has done to all his christian supporters? Raised gas prices, made it easier for business to file bankruptcy and harder for individuals, etc... the list goes on. 3) Look at the Islamic extremists who want to wage a Jihad against everyone that is not a believer in Islam. This is very similar to the Catholic Church's Inquistition during the 15th Century (if memory serves correct). It is for these reasons and many more that I believe that politics and religion should not be mixed.

Answer 5

Throughout history, when you start mixing religion with politics, here comes a War! It seems to be inevitable, because there are so many religious beliefs. When one religion places a member of its faith into power, it starts trying to force other people to agree with its views. In a multi-religious country, this just will not work.

At the moment, we are caught in what started as a retaliatory war against terrorism, but quickly turned into a religious conflict, war with a totally-irrelevant country that just happened to have a generous supply of oil and a background of historic religious lore.

One of the first things Bush did in office was issue approval of Faith Based Charities. Even Jimmy Carter has protested against this, because there are more poor people than ever and these churches are just not reaching them. Shelters have not been built and too often, religious sermons accompany the help for the poor....religious sermons that push THEIR beliefs, not ALL beliefs. Even the poor should have a choice.

Then, Bush claimed that he consulted with God before striking Iraq. It is difficult to believe that God would approve such a war, but evidently Bush believes he did. And many Americans in the "Bush Base" feel that he was sent by God to change American ways, because they have deemed all liberals to be evil. With "Jesus Camps" and violent video games concerning religious war, conservative extremists are preparing the next generation for battle against Muslims.

So, a resounding NO would be my answer to this question. Keep the separation of Church and State. Religion is a personal matter and it is not up to any human being to force the beliefs of his neighbor. Allow us all to have Freedom of Religion, and keep the religious radicals out of government. The War on Terror should not be a Religious Crusade.

Answer 6

I think our faith should dictate how we vote. I don't believe my political views are as important as my faith. For example I am infavor of decriminalization of many drug offences currently on the books. The money that is spent on the war on drugs, (a war that is some respect is corrupted and favors the drug manufacturer, making the end user the criminal) was spent on rehab of not only the poor and disenfranchised, but the wealthy and respectable professionals, and middle class that are users as well. The penalties for crimes related to drugs such as DWI of coke, or meth, or pot should be brutal, with heavy fines and jail time.

Now that's a pollitical viewpoint, that cause conservatives and Christians to hear the 1st part and say "GASP" "You want to legalize drug use?" No what I want to do is take away the money from the drug lords in the other countries that profit from our use of the product, and put in in the hands of reputable doctors and law enforcement to do some good in this country.

We need to take the sting out of the death of drugs for example, as Christ took the sting out of death, by dealing with the SIN. Jesus wrote a new LAW a law of love not of condemnation.

So yes I look for candidates and pollitical issues with and Eye towards my faith first. A person of real faith has no choice. My poitical views are secondary to my faith but complementary, and derive their substance from my faith.

al 4 now B

Answer 7

That's a hard one. Some types of religious people do set their religious beliefs to their voting habits. The religious right got Bush elected both times. Most people I know are cafeteria Catholics. meaning that they pick and choose which rules of the church they follow. They might be pro-choice, but not support the death penalty. I am sure most catholics use birth control, but this is not a tenet of there church. So when you vote it is between you and your god.
Now if you are asking if these people religious beliefs should be in flicked on all, I would say no way, but if enough want to vote their way, unless the supreme court disagrees, it's law.

Answer 8

This is difficult to do... for me anyhow... I live my religion 7 days a week... not just on Sundays. My religion makes up a lot of how I morally conduct myself and my belief system. If a person has good values and practices those values it will be evident in their decision making process. Where it should not cross the line is in imposing your religion on others. Many religions share a lot of the same beliefs... and most religions are for the betterment of mankind. So if this is the case... I would hope that a little more of it would show through in our political positions.

Answer 9

That question has been a thorn in the side of humankind since our minds came to the conclusion that there must be a supreme higher power. That's all well and good, but the problem arises when one religion oppresses another, with the use of dogma to manipulate politics. How you form your own opinions is part of freedom. Nobody in AMERICA has any right to impose any form of dogma on the rest of us !

Answer 10

My non secular view is that we could desire to consistently enable "gay marriage" because it may stabilise a love between 2 same intercourse human beings. i think Jesus does no longer have been against it or seen it because of the fact the burning situation of the day what with poverty so time-honored in our international. i'm a heterosexual; i'm single- i will comprehend the way confusing it somewhat is to locate love and that i do no longer see a God denying those men there love My political view is we could desire to consistently no longer enable same intercourse marriage because of the fact the organic extension of this is adoption or surrogate births for the gay couples introducing a sparkling measurement to the ambience a baby grows up in- we've no concept of the effects no better than our antiabortion professional-single mom non secular bias has promoted delinquent behaviour in loads of fellows eg Limerick city in eire