Why is religion so crucial to the integration of our government's political machine?

Question

I find it a bit strange as to why religion must play a central role in politics and yet none of those elected practice what they preach anyways.

We hear politicians tell us that they are of one faith or another, believe in god, and whatnot, and yet, they send our troops off to kill other people, let people starve--either at home or abroad--and are in bed with corruption, decadence, and sin--on many levels.

Then they tell us that in order to save this country, its faith, morals, and anything connected with religion, we have to vote for the one guy who says he's a [insert religious identity here], and he alone is the one who can lead this country in the right direction.

But why do I get the feeling that religion has really nothing to do with politics, as God has really nothing to do with the way we really vote?

Why must we continue to confuse spiritual angst with social decay in order to advance things along in our own government on a purely religious front?

Answer 1

I agree. What does it matter? Who cares what faith a President follows - if any? It has no bearing on anything.

The religious screwballs got their fingernails into it with Reagan...who went along with it and encourage them. Then, they tried to crucify Clinton for being an unfaithful husband...as if it was any of their business anyway. Infidelity is between spouses, not open for public scrutiny. Statistics show 72% of males and 51% of females cheat on their spouses.....bet a lot of them are "religious" too.

Then, along comes Bush and Co....he who talks to "god" everyday and "god" talks back.

When did our country become a hostage to the so-called "christians" anyway.

I think it's shameful. Religious belief is a personal and private matter between the person and his/her maker. It belongs in the home and the church...not in politics.

I don't care if a President worships tree stumps; I just want a leader who LEADS, who has the best interest of ALL the people in his heart and head. Someone who actually knows the Constitution and will "protect and defend" it as he swears to do when he enters that office.

Answer 2

That's a very complicated question. It starts when people make statements like their not being willing to vote for a non-Christian, or not being able to vote for someone who doesn't practice it like they do, which is what "values voters" are saying. The best thing I've ever seen is the scene from the last season of West Wing where Alan Alda refuses to discuss his religious convictions during his campaign. The speech he makes is riveting. Wish I could quote it directly, but the essence is that he told them they couldn't tell anything about his religious convictions from what he told them about them. And since he could easily be lying, he wouldn't do it at all.

As you've said, politicians profess convictions all the time that they obviously either don't really hold or for one reason or another justify not practicing. But voters are rarely rational about who they vote for. They are influenced by a myriad of things they are not even aware of. If you read The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell, you'll see that a large chunk of voters in 1979 were influenced strictly by the look on Peter Jennings face during the newscast. He looked enthused when he talked about Reagan, and 75% of voters voted for Reagan if they watched that news channel. Rather and Brokaw had a neutral face when they talked about him, and only 50% of their channel's watchers voted for Reagan. It takes really rigid discipline to look at all the issues and pick the one whose positions most closely fit yours, to ignore all the non-verbal, visual cues that have influenced you.

I believe that although so many people say they're voting on the basis of religious convictions, they really have no idea why they're voting at all.

Answer 3

It's not the practice of their religion. It is their stance on moral issues which ties into religion. Abortion is a key example. I will not vote for a Candidate that advocates abortion. Killing an innocent unborn child is wrong and goes against my moral fiber. JFK was a catholic, and a democrat, I am a catholic and I would not have voted for him either.

Answer 4

According to Karl Marx, religion is an opiate for the masses. Politicians are wise to this fact and are not afraid (or ashamed) to use religion for political purposes.

Answer 5

Many religious-minded people will only vote for people that profess similar religious beliefs as theirs. Since politicians want those votes, they wear their religious beliefs on their sleeves. But since most politicians want to do things that contradict those beliefs, on their sleeves is where their religious beliefs stay.

Answer 6

The country is 85% Christian. You can not and will not shut them out as they are the largest block of voters.

Reality is not your long suit is it?