Why is religion involved in politics?

[freedomfighter]

The only time religion should be involved in politics is when a law is passed to say that religion shouldn't come into politics.

When did politics incorporate religion into the system anyway? How did it all start. There have to be a starting point. I just don't know where to find it.

[Ryantology]

I really do not blame religion at all for the involvement of religion in politics. It is the other way around I believe that it is the government using religion as a bridge just like every ruler in the past to manipulate them and sway their votes their way.

You think so? Because, I can't recall seeing too many church officials (or devout churchgoers) acting put-out by the intrusion of religion into politics. Surely, the relationship is two-way, except while there is a sure segment of the political landscape in America wanting little or no religious involvement, can you find a single religious group of note who does not want God's hands on the political steering wheel?

[Jackalope]

The only time religion should be involved in politics is when a law is passed to say that religion shouldn't come into politics.

When did politics incorporate religion into the system anyway? How did it all start. There have to be a starting point. I just don't know where to find it.

Can you think of a time in recorded history when religion and politics weren't intertwined?

I can't.

[freedomfighter]

When did politics incorporate religion into the system anyway? How did it all start. There have to be a starting point. I just don't know where to find it.

Can you think of a time in recorded history when religion and politics weren't intertwined?

I can't.

Please dont misunderstand I agree that it is, that is why I stated it should be separated. I just want to identify the starting point.

---

I really do not blame religion at all for the involvement of religion in politics. It is the other way around I believe that it is the government using religion as a bridge just like every ruler in the past to manipulate them and sway their votes their way.

You think so? Because, I can't recall seeing too many church officials (or devout churchgoers) acting put-out by the intrusion of religion into politics. Surely, the relationship is two-way, except while there is a sure segment of the political landscape in America wanting little or no religious involvement, can you find a single religious group of note who does not want God's hands on the political steering wheel?

Unfortunately the religious people who are Christian and are involved in politics are hypocrites from the get go. It is already against their values.

[Ciel_Rouge]

Please dont misunderstand I agree that it is, that is why I stated it should be separated. I just want to identify the starting point.

Hi freedomfigther. How about no starting point at all? I mean both are about control over people. When we think for a sec: what is religion? what does it do? The one thing that comes to mind is that it's simply about controlling our behaviour and attitudes - first and foremost our sexual behaviour and then things like social interactions etc. So is there so much of a difference between those two at all? They both have a hierarchy of people who manipulate other people or force them to do things or forbid certain behaviours.

I would say religion is politics in disguise or they simply double each other. That's why they are intertwined and sometimes religious leaders double as politicial leaders (some muslim states) or political leaders become head of church (England). It all seems wrong and unnatural if you regard religion for what it pretends to be but suddenly becomes simple and obvious when you take it for what it really is ;-)

And finally two nice examples from my country. Firstly, separating the church and the state is exactly what some politicians in Poland are trying to do right now. In the Polish parliament there is a cross on the wall apart from the national emblem. The politicians from a party called the Palikot Movement recently wanted to take it down but others opposed.

Another example comes from before World War II. In pre-war Poland there were a lot of adherents to the orthodox church in the eastern part of the country, mainly Ukrainians. But to Polish people in the center and in the west the orthodox church was the symbol of Russia and its opression. So they decided to tear a lot of orthodox churches (the buildings) down. This later resulted in the Ukrainians turning against Poles and committing organized war attrocities on civilian population as means of revenge. There you have it - politics and religions, "love and marriage, It's an institute you can't disparage. Ask the local gentry and they will say it's elementary"

[freedomfighter]

Please dont misunderstand I agree that it is, that is why I stated it should be separated. I just want to identify the starting point.

Hi freedomfigther. How about no starting point at all? I mean both are about control over people. When we think for a sec: what is religion? what does it do? The one thing that comes to mind is that it's simply about controlling our behaviour and attitudes - first and foremost our sexual behaviour and then things like social interactions etc. So is there so much of a difference between those two at all? They both have a hierarchy of people who manipulate other people or force them to do things or forbid certain behaviours.

I would say religion is politics in disguise or they simply double each other. That's why they are intertwined and sometimes religious leaders double as politicial leaders (some muslim states) or political leaders become head of church (England). It all seems wrong and unnatural if you regard religion for what it pretends to be but suddenly becomes simple and obvious when you take it for what it really is ;-)

And finally two nice examples from my country. Firstly, separating the church and the state is exactly what some politicians in Poland are trying to do right now. In the Polish parliament there is a cross on the wall apart from the national emblem. The politicians from a party called the Palikot Movement recently wanted to take it down but others opposed.

Another example comes from before World War II. In pre-war Poland there were a lot of adherents to the orthodox church in the eastern part of the country, mainly Ukrainians. But to Polish people in the center and in the west the orthodox church was the symbol of Russia and its opression. So they decided to tear a lot of orthodox churches (the buildings) down. This later resulted in the Ukrainians turning against Poles and committing organized war attrocities on civilian population as means of revenge. There you have it - politics and religions, "love and marriage, It's an institute you can't disparage. Ask the local gentry and they will say it's elementary"

that makes me sad

[Ciel_Rouge]

that makes me sad

Don't be sad, it is like suddenly knowing that the Earth revolves around the Sun and not the other way round like everybody told ya ;-) Knowledge is power so there is no reason to be sad, to the contrary.

[Mystic]

If people believe a religion is true, I don't see why they should separate it's values from politics. People should be true to their beliefs. In case of Islam, they are commanded to rule and judge and legislate by revelation. Sure I don't believe in Islam but I think people whom do believe in Islam have the right to rule by it.

[Ryantology]

If people believe a religion is true, I don't see why they should separate it's values from politics. People should be true to their beliefs. In case of Islam, they are commanded to rule and judge and legislate by revelation. Sure I don't believe in Islam but I think people whom do believe in Islam have the right to rule by it.

Because laws should never be arbitrary, and the majority of rules in any organized religion are exactly that.

[KichigaiNeko]

religion WAS the politics of the day according to the last Caesar of Rome...hence religion has ALWAYS ensured it's place within the halls of power to further it's own agenda irrespective of the people who support it.