Religion in Politics

[kmack]

Does religion play too big a role in politics?

 

[ComradeBadger]

No, it has no relevance in the UK.

 

[oldagerocker]

As badger said, not in this country. Thank f*ck for that

 

[ríomhaire]

I said yes, because USA has loads of nukes and the politics there are completey based on religion from what I hear.

 

[short recoil]

Religion is the base of politics, it shouldn't be and it's moving away from this.
religion is faith/choice not anything to do with law

 

[seinfeldrules]

I said yes, because USA has loads of nukes and the politics there are completey based on religion from what I hear.

/me sighs

 

[gh0st]

I said yes, because USA has loads of nukes and the politics there are completey based on religion from what I hear.

Oh enlightened Europe, you're so foward thinking and smart!

No. Religion does not play too much of a roll. Not here it doesnt. Sadly, it doesnt play MORE of a roll. People have this assumption that religion in politics equals medieval times or some nonesense. I, for one, think it would be nice to see some of the morals associated with religion in politics. What people believe is their own business, so really I feel its up to them.

 

[kmack]

fyi, I voted yes, because I think that religion influences politics too much, its influence has grown too great, and it is rapidly pushing out opposing viewpoints.

 

[gh0st]

fyi, I voted yes, because I think that religion influences politics too much, its influence has grown too great, and it is rapidly pushing out opposing viewpoints.

Cite one example of religion pushing out opposing viewpoints.

By the way, I think its pretty funny how you degrade Rush Limbaugh for admitting he has a problem with drugs, and fixing the problem on the air. Thats way more than Slippery Bill Clinton could do ("I smoked but never inhaled").

Ironically, you couldnt prove that Bill O'Reilly sexually abused anyone. Why? OH WAIT IT HASNT BEEN PROVEN. Its just common sense; in America, I dont know what heathen nation you come from, but our people are innocent until proven guilty.

I dont even like them but I think that your sig is just gay.

 

[The Mullinator]

Unfortunately here in Canada they are starting to be intertwined thanks to the conservative party gaining more power.

 

[kmack]

Cite one example of religion pushing out opposing viewpoints.

By the way, I think its pretty funny how you degrade Rush Limbaugh for admitting he has a problem with drugs, and fixing the problem on the air. Thats way more than Slippery Bill Clinton could do ("I smoked but never inhaled").

Ironically, you couldnt prove that Bill O'Reilly sexually abused anyone. Why? OH WAIT IT HASNT BEEN PROVEN. Its just common sense; in America, I dont know what heathen nation you come from, but our people are innocent until proven guilty.

I dont even like them but I think that your sig is just gay.

I didn't think I titled this thread "Flame Kmacks Sig".

 

[gh0st]

I didn't think I titled this thread "Flame Kmacks Sig".

That was one part of my post, you disregarded the part where your "argument" was left in ruin.

 

[kmack]

Cite one example of religion pushing out opposing viewpoints.

Religion pushes out homosexuals, it pushes out women who choose to have abortions, it pushes out people in favor of the death penalty. When religion becomes involved in politics this is what happens, in an effort to meet the needs of voters who vote based on religion, politicians follow their moral standards, and ignore those that oppose them. It goes both ways, on the conservative side, they are pro-life pushing out the pro choice people but there is also effects on the liberal side of the fence too.

 

[kmack]

That was one part of my post, you disregarded the part where your "argument" was left in ruin.

ok, let me color code this for you.

Cite one example of religion pushing out opposing viewpoints.

By the way, I think its pretty funny how you degrade Rush Limbaugh for admitting he has a problem with drugs, and fixing the problem on the air. Thats way more than Slippery Bill Clinton could do ("I smoked but never inhaled").

Ironically, you couldnt prove that Bill O'Reilly sexually abused anyone. Why? OH WAIT IT HASNT BEEN PROVEN. Its just common sense; in America, I dont know what heathen nation you come from, but our people are innocent until proven guilty.

I dont even like them but I think that your sig is just gay.

in the red we have you flaming my sig, in the blue is the part dealing with the topic. Which part is small? :smoking:

Can anyone else give some examples of religion pushing out opposing viewpoints?

 

[T.H.C.138]

religion should be between you and you're god(s) and no one else..simply for the fact of what happens when one faith is challenged by another..

I could honestly care less about voodoo chicken killings..as long as its not in my yard!!keep that crap in your house!!damn feathers everywhere...

let the muslims face mecca,let the jews spin draidles(no offense intended) just don't force your beliefs on others..

which it seems is happening more and more nowadays..damned FCC,putting mosaics on a butt in a 5 year old cartoon(family guy) which is intended for adults anyway

thats my belief and you all better f'ing agree!!!

:cheers:

 

[Foxtrot]

Religion pushes out homosexuals, it pushes out women who choose to have abortions, it pushes out people in favor of the death penalty. When religion becomes involved in politics this is what happens, in an effort to meet the needs of voters who vote based on religion, politicians follow their moral standards, and ignore those that oppose them. It goes both ways, on the conservative side, they are pro-life pushing out the pro choice people but there is also effects on the liberal side of the fence too.

I agree entirely, morals have no place in the government.

 

[gh0st]

Religion pushes out homosexuals, it pushes out women who choose to have abortions, it pushes out people in favor of the death penalty. When religion becomes involved in politics this is what happens, in an effort to meet the needs of voters who vote based on religion, politicians follow their moral standards, and ignore those that oppose them. It goes both ways, on the conservative side, they are pro-life pushing out the pro choice people but there is also effects on the liberal side of the fence too.

Ok. You list all these topics in which conservatives (religious people) have viewpoints.

You said that religion pushes out opposing viewpoints. Well liberals push out my right to want to close our borders and secure our nation. All you say here is that religion is somehow "pushing out" women who want to have abortions. Theres still a very strong opposition to it, in fact, its about 50%. So instead of trying to make me out for some idiot and skirting around the question, answer it. How is religion PUSHING OUT OR DIMINISHING OTHERS VIEWPOINTS MORE THAN ATHIEST OR LIBERAL OR WHATEVER VIEWPOINTS. ALL VIEWPOINTS PUSH THE OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS OUT, ITS THE NATURE OF ARGUMENT.

 

[Datrix]

It's hard to believe some of you don't think religion plays too big of a roll in politics. Look at most countries in the Middle East, their governments are completely controlled by religious beliefs and wasn't George Bush the one who said "God wanted me to become president" and "God told me to go to war with Iraq".

 

[gh0st]

It's hard to believe some of you don't think religion plays too big of a roll in politics. Look at most countries in the Middle East, their governments are completely controlled by religious beliefs and wasn't George Bush the one who said "God wanted me to become president" and "God told me to go to war with Iraq".

The middle east is an utterly different can of beans. Theocracies abount there, so what are you so surprised at?

"Under god". This country is a christian nation and 70%+ of its inhabitants are christian. By the way, try not to take that quote out of context.

 

[Datrix]

The middle east is an utterly different can of beans. Theocracies abount there, so what are you so surprised at?

What do you mean it's a different can of beans? We are talking about politics in general, not just in the Western world, and yes even though in the Middle East government in most of the countries has never in history been properly established over religion, I still think it's surprising considering we are in the 21st century.

By the way, try not to take that quote out of context.

Ok, so it's not exactly what he said, but it's close.
Here:
"God told me to strike at al Qaida and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam, which I did..."

 

[jondy]

Religion isn't based on reason, government is... that's pretty much the short and short of it

Religion isn't the only way to attain values or morality

 

[Stigmata]

Religion isn't based on reason, government is... that's pretty much the short and short of it

Religion isn't the only way to attain values or morality

That makes two of us \/

Although some religions possess some beneficial moral values, I just can't find it in me to believe that people can actually have a dialogue with God. Yes, you can talk to God whenever the hell you want and he'll [somehow] listen to you [along with the fifty thousand other people who are talking to him at the same time], but it's hard to believe that God would, or could communicate with Bush (or other people in positions of power) without some sort of overt sign towards the general public. There's far too much room for manipulation for personal gain, and false claims. Simply saying "I think God wanted me to blah blah blah" isn't going to cut it.

 

[The Monkey]

Not here it doesn't and thank god (well...) for that.

The last thing we need is some religious bastard telling us that homosexuality is a sin and that women belong in the kitchen.

 

[Absinthe]

I agree entirely, morals have no place in the government.

You know that's not what he meant, but you acted on that ridiculous interpretation any way.

Conservative spin in full effect.

 

[kmack]

Religion isn't based on reason, government is... that's pretty much the short and short of it

Religion isn't the only way to attain values or morality

exactly

 

[GiaOmerta]

religion should be between you and you're god(s) and no one else..simply for the fact of what happens when one faith is challenged by another..

What if someone's beliefs involve your demise and demise of your beliefs?

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

Like any belief a politician has, it should play a part but not dominate his thinking. He should obviously be considerate of the peoples wishes, but a true leader also resolves to do what he believes is right. Because honestly look at the democratic process. Its ugly and people fight, and you need one person to stand up and tell everyone where to go, otherwise nothing gets done.


Just the word religion has so much stigma attached to it, that I don't like using it anymore. But what people forget is that its simply a system of beliefs.

 

[GiaOmerta]

What is religion in your eyes?
I'm not a fan of religion. Don't get me wrong. I read my Bible and commune with God through prayer. I fellowship with my spiritial brothers and sisters, but I'm not a fan of religion. Religion was created by man and so is riddled with inperfection and corruption.

 

[T.H.C.138]

@GiaOmerta about my previous post..

thats the whole "forcing my beliefs upon others thing in effect"

and I heartily agree with your views in your post above this one

@no one/anyone
why should my beliefs have any effect on someone elses?

is it because they fear that they might not be right?

is their faith in the religion of their choice so flimsy that they must kill to prove it to themselves?

I am not a fanatic so I don't understand that kind of thinking,"you believe something different so I must kill you and all like you!! even though you haven't done a damn thing besides have a different faith!"

where I live is pretty diverse culturally, we have places of worship for buddhists,muslims,most forms of christianity,etc.and none of them bother me in the slightest

why can't people see the similarities in the different faiths?

some kind of "heaven",some kind of "hell"..angels,demons..the descriptions of these beings in most religions is pretty similar..

most religions are basically the "golden rule"--"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you",now I know that isn't exactly the fact,but its close

maybe this higher power/being came to the different cultures in a form they could understand/comprehend/accept..

maybe.... it is the same "god"?

/me runs away

 

[CptStern]

ok, let me color code this for you.



in the red we have you flaming my sig, in the blue is the part dealing with the topic. Which part is small? :smoking:

Can anyone else give some examples of religion pushing out opposing viewpoints?

yes:

"Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High." :Luke 6:35

 

[Foxtrot]

yes:

"Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High." :Luke 6:35

So? Are you trying to make fun of people for having different beliefs than you?

 

[Ikerous]

So? Are you trying to make fun of people for having different beliefs than you?

lol... no?

He was pointing out obvious discrepancies in the beliefs of christians that support war...

Unless of course i read it completely wrong :/

 

[Korgoth]

I'm just glad religious pressure is finally paying off, forget wars, hunger, disease, and all over life affecting problems in our world... The truly conservative have finally reached a milestone!



Bert and Ernie are finally getting seperate rooms.

 

[baxter]

72% of Americans say the president should have strong religious beliefs
65% say churches should not endorse candidates
51% say churches should express views on political matters
41% say there is too little expression of faith and prayer by political leaders

Taken from this link.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3658172.stm

 

[oldagerocker]

72% of Americans say the president should have strong religious beliefs
65% say churches should not endorse candidates
51% say churches should express views on political matters
41% say there is too little expression of faith and prayer by political leaders

Taken from this link.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3658172.stm

80% of people are idiots.

Taken from experience. :|

Your own belief on what happens after you die and why you're on this planet, should have **** all to do with the running of your country. Religion and religious holy books have no revelence to todays world, politically.

 

[CptStern]

lol... no?

He was pointing out obvious discrepancies in the beliefs of christians that support war...

:thumbs:

 

[Foxtrot]

80% of people are idiots.

Taken from experience. :|

Your own belief on what happens after you die and why you're on this planet, should have **** all to do with the running of your country. Religion and religious holy books have no revelence to todays world, politically.

Religion (to many people) isn't just what they think is going to happen when they die. It was how they were raised and generally what kind of beliefs they have (your religion should be a reflection of your beliefs).


I may be a little slow, but I still don't know where you are going with that t-shirt thing. Are you comparing our troops to terrorists?

 

[OCybrManO]

"Under god". This country is a christian nation and 70%+ of its inhabitants are christian. By the way, try not to take that quote out of context.

This country was founded by a mixture of Christians, Atheist, Deists*, etc. The "under god" part was added in 1954... when we were afraid of the "godless" communists. Adding it was just a part of the anti-communist propaganda. It served two main purposes:
• If you showed opposition to it you would be pegged as a communist.
• It helped further entrench our view that we were so much better than the "enemy"... making their victory all the more disgusting.

Claiming that everyone in this country should do what Christians want in terms of morals (and that's a fuzzy idea because you then have to either go with what the majority of Christians believe or dumb it down to only the universal concepts of all forms of Christianity... probably resulting in "Jesus was a nice guy.") because they are the current majority is along the lines of saying that we should only do what white people want. Well, the percentages are almost the same. Hypothetically speaking, if a strict form of Judaism became the majority would you like having to follow all 613 mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah even if you weren't Jewish? That's why religion and government should be separate. It's easy to ignore if you're part of the majority... but think of how it would feel to be on the other side and you might understand.

* Many of the people we refer to as the "founding fathers" were self-proclaimed "Deists." Now, for the uninformed, Deism is a belief that there is a higher being of some sort in some level of control but it has never revealed itself to us. They thought that organized religions were man's creation and wanted no part in them. The "God" they speak of isn't the God you know from Christianity (most obviously because of the number of people that the Christian God and/or his son, biological or adopted, have personally communicated with according to Christian scripture).

 

[CptStern]

I may be a little slow, but I still don't know where you are going with that t-shirt thing. Are you comparing our troops to terrorists?

? you're kidding right? ....what Ikerous said:


"He was pointing out obvious discrepancies in the beliefs of christians that support war..."

 

[Foxtrot]

? you're kidding right? ....what Ikerous said:


"He was pointing out obvious discrepancies in the beliefs of christians that support war..."

I still don't see what you are pointing out...those two passages can be interpreted in many many ways, and I am guessing you chose toe view them as "Love the enemy" "Slaughter thy enemy, then tea bag them" right?