Is politics our spirituality demonstrated?

Question

The reason why I asked is: isn't it our current spiritual understandings that create and support our present political and economical constructions?

I read this in a book and it got me thinking.....just want to know what others think about this concept.....

Thanks in advance for all your answers and for sharing your all your thoughts on this matter. =)

Edit: OK, or maybe it is our LACK of spirituality demonstrated?

Answer 1

Hell yes, it is - if you use a realistic definition of "spirituality," rather than taking people at their word about what their "spirituality" is.

I mean, the political positions we take are a manifestation of our *actual* (not claimed) values. Our values are determined by how we see the world and people in it on the deepest level. Often it's on an unconscious level, for which we can't be held totally responsible, particularly in a religious culture that does not teach real examination of "spirituality" but instead demands only that we state our agreement with dogma.

When we take the political positions of people we consider our "spiritual" superiors rather than starting with what matters to us and thinking for ourselves -- for example, concluding that because the church rejects something it must be wrong & punishable... that's a lack of spirituality, a sign of spiritual weakness and/or corruption, and of shallow, selfish values.

Answer 2

Though what you say is undoubtedly true for some people, it is neither easy nor appropriate to sweep everything into the same basket in this manner. You might similarly say that houses are engineering demonstrated... but houses involve a lot more than JUST engineering: economics, psychology, biology, and so on.

If a person believes that something is wrong, it seems reasonable that he would use all the tools at his command to avoid and prevent such wrongness from occurring. Politics, law, and social pressure are certainly among those tools. And spirituality is certainly among the things that sometimes indicate to people that one or another thing is wrong.

But spirituality is not the ONLY such thing. There is also logic, practicality, philosophy, history, and so on. There are many people who believe it is completely abhorrent to try and force others into their own spiritual preferences, no matter how correct they believe their spirituality to be. And there are many people who believe it would be abhorrent to NOT try and force them.

So it goes. Look at the whole tapestry, and not just a thread.

Answer 3

Wow - great question! I've thought about this in a different way. I wouldn't really say it's our spirituality demonstrated because all politics have some people who are not spiritual and all have some who are.

I do believe that we are our politics and that is why they are so hard to change. Most of us want the same things - happiness, world peace and independence. Some feel it is their duty to find it for others and others feel it's important for people to find these things on their own. Either one can be considered selfish or altruistic and be based on being humble or arrogant.

Politics can have a spiritual component, but can't reveal someones spirituality. For example, there are a couple of film makers (Tarkovsky and Kieslowski) that I think I have similar spiritual beliefs as but I'm sure that my politics are very different than theirs were.

In my view - politics are based on how you think other people can best achieve happiness and spirituality is completely personal and has to do with your own happiness.

Answer 4

well, believer, i dont know for certain(and i believe
no-one does either).
Also,its unlikely,as its taught(probably rightly in my opinion)
that (western) politics is normally "secular";

This is not-to-say(as ive said before here) that ANY non-
spiritual/religious, ONCE ELECTED TO POWER,reveals
or produces a sort-of Plan; a plan which is probably a result
of the critial questions and legitimate concerns that are
currently debated.
Such as,whether to withdraw occupying forces or not;And
whether or not to help or hinder immigrants(!).
So, a non spiritual and secular person(even a group too)
could "revert" or become spiritualised once in Power,in
their position as president or chief minister or chief politition.

So,i believe, politics Can become "spiritual",although it need
not; And whether or not it should be taught that politics can
rightly show a reasonable spirituality(or a reasonable
religious aspect),we should remember another thing.
That Spirituality,as human made,has a humanlike
imperfectness- and can fail us(So we should not be blinded
completely by its"revealed"knowledge!).

Answer 5

I don't think so. In many cases, the folks who run for office have to evade the truth, lie, and make broad assertions just to talk about there platforms. Many are asked simple, forthright questions and have to answer with a ten minute answer. they throw so much "baloney" at you, you can't understand what they are saying. The deals they have to make with political actions committees, lobbyists, and corporations who give them money would make anyone with a conscience squirm, and their positions change more than an insomniac in bed with ten cups of coffee in him. There's nothing spiritual about politics. Even those with deep religious convictions running for office seem uncomfortable with it. Politics has become so perverted, that neither side can agree with the other side with anything at all. The political parties in this country blame everything on each other from natural disasters, to getting stuck at a red light. The politics of personal destruction requires that you dig dirt on your opponent and their families, and anyone they ever sat next to on a bus to cast their opponent in a bad light. Spirituality? I'm sorry. I do not believe that politics is our spirituality demonstrated. Thanks for the question, though.

Answer 6

hello,
as i understand your question...
there are more and more individuals getting involved in paranormal activities and have a more open mind about spiritual things, and yes to a degree this effects politics as well as society and humanity all over. Groups of organizations that once wernt interested in such matters are getting involved, and mediums and psychics are used by the military to help with warfare so politics have an active role in the paranormal as well as how people make their views heard when voting a president.

Answer 7

No... Politics is our incapacity to easily deal with scarcity and reasoning issues being demonstrated! Spirituality would be one of the reasoning issues within its silly grasp...
Politics are negotiations on a vast array of issues being dealt with under human logical limitations and being pressured by general scarcity. All these exposed to our infinite capacity for corruption!
It is a human condition. If there is need to decide between different point of view, politics exist. Although, it can be so darn evil, it is all we got!

Answer 8

Wow, that is indeed a great question!!!

Come to think of it, it does look like our collective distance from spirituality and morality is what today's politics reflects..... true politics is about welfare of the state and therefore it ought to align to the aspirations of the people..... if those are materialistic and without much concern regarding morals, then so would our politicians turn out to be. If the politics is dirty, then one can perhaps safely assume that our society is no less!!

Answer 9

It depends.

I do not believe true spirituality has a place for politics since politics is of this realm.

I can never understand why Christians are so political since their treasure is not here but in heaven.

But politics is defintely the religion of the atheist.