Can Politics and Religion Mix? (Poll & Forum)

[yokam]

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If both parties (church and government) won't have their own vested and selfish interests, then both can go hand in hand.

[giddyboy]

i personally believe they (religious groups) should shun from endorsing a candidate or political party. the business of churches is to impart wisdom to their flock to choose/determine the rightful candidate for themselves.

i personally agree too...these religious groups should prevent themselves from endorsing a candidate or political party...ang kadaut, we have no law against that.

[meowa]

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
-Mahatma Gandhi

amen to gandhi

and politics and religion should not mix. imagine if dictators & despots thought they were gods.

oops. seems like they did think that way.

[geoseph]

Any church leader who forgets that his or her primary role is to:

- practice one's religion
- set an example
- teach, that is to share, clarify, and give illustrations
- give advice only when asked, and is given for the receiver to consider
- respect people to think and feel the truth for themselves
- administration of the church and related activities

might confuse his or her role as that of being a citizen.

It's every citizen's right to exercise his or her privileges to one's country but, should any church leader do so, it would be best if he or she clarifies this first with the flock (and that includes any other activity not church related). It might be equally good if church members also see it this way, when their leader is involved with activities outside the church.

What is confusing, and maybe seen with suspicion, is when a church leader uses his or her position to interfere with political affairs. That would be exceeding one's mandate.

Do people go to church for spiritual enlightenment or for political enlightenment? Do they donate (or give tithes) for the church or for the government (they already get taxed)?

[brownprose]

Any church leader who forgets that his or her primary role is to:

- practice one's religion
- set an example
- teach, that is to share, clarify, and give illustrations
- give advice only when asked, and is given for the receiver to consider
- respect people to think and feel the truth for themselves
- administration of the church and related activities

might confuse his or her role as that of being a citizen.

It's every citizen's right to exercise his or her privileges to one's country but, should any church leader do so, it would be best if he or she clarifies this first with the flock (and that includes any other activity not church related). It might be equally good if church members also see it this way, when their leader is involved with activities outside the church.

What is confusing, and maybe seen with suspicion, is when a church leader uses his or her position to interfere with political affairs. That would be exceeding one's mandate.

Do people go to church for spiritual enlightenment or for political enlightenment? Do they donate (or give tithes) for the church or for the government (they already get taxed)?

Mao gyud. In addition, the problem also is that, a leader coming from a church sometimes causes undue influence. The vote is influenced by reason of "similar faiths" or perceived moral uprightness of the person than competence and platform of govt.

The problem also worsens when that church leader wins in the election BUT is as shrewd/corrupt as many of our politicians today. When that happens, he puts at stake the reputation of the church he comes from.

This happened many times na before. and a good example of which was that pastor somewhere north of Cebu who ran and won. he allegedly didn't only engage in vote buying, he also made a fortune out of his position. he was also suspected of killing his political opponents. what happened later was that the church he pastored before was not only embarrassed of what he did but also lost its credibility in the community.

[geoseph]

Mao gyud. In addition, the problem also is that, a leader coming from a church sometimes causes undue influence. The vote is influenced by reason of "similar faiths" or perceived moral uprightness of the person than competence and platform of govt.

The problem also worsens when that church leader wins in the election BUT is as shrewd/corrupt as many of our politicians today. When that happens, he puts at stake the reputation of the church he comes from.

This happened many times na before. and a good example of which was that pastor somewhere north of Cebu who ran and won. he allegedly didn't only engage in vote buying, he also made a fortune out of his position. he was also suspected of killing his political opponents. what happened later was that the church he pastored before was not only embarrassed of what he did but also lost its credibility in the community.

Thanks brownprose bai.

It unfortunately happens that some persons who succeed well in one area also get overconfident they will succeed in another area. They forgot what it took to succeed in their specialty (years of study and training), and that other area that initially looked similar to it actually has its own challenges requiring the same prior training as any other field would.

Power can play tricks on the mind on those who don't deserve it. Power comes in many forms, and any leadership (including that of a church) necessarily has it, in order for it to accomplish its reason for being. Who truly deserves so much power? Why would people give way to you (or trust you)? The only useful power is that which accomplishes its intended work. Anything else (sans inherent imperfections that lead to inefficiencies that can only be minimized) is an abuse of it.

[pijavier]

No they cannot mix

[giddyboy]

a good example that politics and religion should not mix is JIL (Jesus is Lord Movement)...Eddie V. sucks!

[The_Child]

why the bifurcation?

Religion is political and Politics is religious.

[Tattva]

no, its bad chemistry.