On Religion and Politics...

This is a companion post to one at In the Grey. Unlike the post there, this one will deal with the damage that politics can cause to religion. This post is necessarily limited to the United States of America. This does not suppose that some societies, based on a different form of government, should follow this line of thought. This line of reason would not apply to a theocracy. However, the point of this post is to consider why American politics has no role in religion.

Politics is a dirty business. Anyone who watches television during an election year can tell you that, especially in a swing state. Religious leaders lead their parishioners in the ways of their religion, not politics. Brining the world of politics in the religion denigrates the value of those beliefs, especially when those beliefs become the basis for laws. Eventually, in some way, shape, or form, church leaders that become political leaders begin to determine the direction of a religion. This is when politics on the pulpit becomes the most dangerous combination. Rulers like Constantine I are excellent examples of what happens when a political leader shares a place with leaders of the church.

The operation of American government demonstrates the clear need for separation between church and state. Moreover, restrictive imposition of the religious beliefs fails to benefit those who believe. Jesus spoke of living for God, and how faith is a matter of choice. "Imposed" faith is no more devout than fealty to imposed rule. Furthermore, walking with God is personal, and living for God results from that personal relationship. To install a religion at the head of a political organization, the personal nature of the belief structure is necessarily be lost. This results in Christians who believe out of fear of the law, not for their faith in God. This is the true danger of religion in the place of ruler.