How do we create laws to keep religion out of politics?

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   peter565posted 10 years ago

   How do we create laws to keep religion out of politics?
   
   The Middle East is the most religion area in the world and even amount them, Turkey, have since WW1, outlaw religion influence upon the state, with a firm principle saying "religion and state must remain separate" in the west, the church continue to interfere with government policies.  In the 70s in Europe, it was even in the law for unwed mother to have their child confiscated by the church and have the mother thrown in church prison for life, because unwed mother is a sin in the church.  How do we create law to ensure, religion can stay out of politics?

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   Joshtheplumberposted 10 years ago

   I'm a little confused by your grammar, but I think I get the point. The simple answer is, as long as religion exists, it will find its way into politics. And vice versa. Because both religion and politics both involve imposing one's standards upon others. Creating more and more laws (both for and against religion) will only allow the system to rise to its highest level of incompetence ensuring a rather spectacular collapse and descent into utter anarchy. Should this occur, religion and politics would be the least of your worries... Unless you've learned a little bit about how things really work...

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   Tusitala Tomposted 10 years ago

   Joshua is right.  Whilst people feel separate and superior to others they will continue in their attempts to control how those others behave.   Religionists some of the worst offenders, but we see it through every single organization to one degree or another.   Those 'in authority' dictating what others should or should not do.  All of this is based on their own particular conditioning of how they see the world and how they want it to be.  In other words, their way.
   
   Yes, governments in many countries have tried to separate and thereby lessen the pervasive power of religious leaders, but it has never worked completely.   It's too ingrained in our cultures.
   
   The upside of this attempt at separation is that far more people today - especially in the Western Cultures - are healthily sceptical about a lot of those religious teachings.  This separation has helped diminish a lot of the bigotry of old.   Lots of people are now finding their own beliefs, often based on a mix of the more unifying aspects of the teachings and writings of many religions rather than just one.  They're learning to discriminate, evaluate, and not simply take the word of someone else dictating what they should and should not believe.
   
   The churches deplore it of course, for far fewer people are now attending.
   
   This 'finding out for oneself will, I think, eventually make us all far more tolerant and accepting of people who do not necessarily agree with us.   And this can only make for a happier, more peaceful and loving world.

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      peter565posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I think we should set a law saying to force your own religion law and view and to persuade others to force religion view or law upon others is illegal (just like racism) we don't want another religion extremist group, whether Muslim or Christian

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      Joshtheplumberposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, let's make it illegal to force religion on to people. In fact, let's not even allow prayer in public schools. We should take In God We Trust off our money too. And bakeries should be forced to make penis shaped cakes for gay weddings. ;-)

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      peter565posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      There are two way to sell this law (1) as anti terrorist bill, stopping Muslim extremists, radical Christian would favor it, not noticing it is design to shut them up too (2) pro gay bill, everybody in favor of gay marriage would support it

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      Joshtheplumberposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hmm... They already tried #1 with the patriot act... As for #2, I think there's an amendment in obamacare about that somewhere... What works best is to call it the opposite of what it is... Religious Freedom Act... You're free to not be religious.

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      peter565posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hey, that is a great idea. "religious freedom act" I love it

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   Aquene Sincerityposted 10 years ago

   Peter,
   
   I like the idea (or what I can gather from your response) of creating a law that prevents anyone from imposing their religion on anyone else, or advocating that one religion is superior to another. Unfortunately, due to the process it takes to pass a bill and create a law, it is very unlikely that many politicians (the majority of which have a religious affiliation) will vote to bring that idea into fruition. As the old saying goes, "religion is the opiate of the masses" and therefore is a tool utilized by government therefore we probably won't ever see an American government that is completely separate from all religion.

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      peter565posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Well, at least we can do it during martial law.  I don't know about the US, but many democracy follow ancient Rome, where during martial law, the President is the Emperor in dictatorship, until the Senate decide to abolish martial law

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      Joshtheplumberposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      What followed martial law in Rome was a theocracy founded by Constantine in 325 AD. It was called the Holy Roman Catholic Church. What was Christianity was flipped upside down to create it.

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      peter565posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hmm...true.

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   feenixposted 10 years ago

   All I know is, in the US, both politics and laws were engendered by Judeo-Christian principles (The Ten Commandments and The Golden Rule, just to cite two).
   
   It has nothing at all to do with anybody trying to impose their will on others. What is has to do with is establishing and maintaining an orderly and lawful society.
   
   Furthermore, politics and religion are not behind the US's wide range of social and economic problems and its downward spiral in many aspects of life. What is behind it is, a great many US residents are growing dumber and more dependent on politicians and government by the day.
   
   In other words, the primary reason why politics and politicians are becoming more-and-more corrupt and deceitful is a significant number of "the people" have stopped thinking and doing for themselves; thereby, providing such entities and people as government, political parties, office holders and politicians with the means to possess far more power than they should have.

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      Joshtheplumberposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      You are correct. What we consider law in America is derived from the principles set forth in the KJV with the intent of maintaining a civilized society. I also agree that as long as people say someone else should do something, the government will.

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      feenixposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Joshua, thank you very much for your supportive comment. And I find your voice to be very refreshing.

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      Joshtheplumberposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      We all have a voice. It's hard to keep up with all of them, but when a little truth slips out it should be invited. When dogma is regurgitated, we all have an opportunity to enlighten. We're all in this together, and there's many ways to be friends.

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      feenixposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Joshua, you certainly have spoken the truth.

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