Religion and Politics.

For all intents and purposes, I wrote this blog to show a point. I will say that not everyone will agree with my view/ views and I think that is okay, after all isn’t that part of the American way. The point that I am trying to make is that politics and religion have become intertwined over the course of our history and that the law protects its right to.

  Let me get my beliefs out of the way, so as not to cause confusion and cut the questions you may be asking yourself about me down to a minimum. I do believe in God, I was raised Catholic, I am not a practicing Catholic at this time but still believe in a higher being.  I believe in a mix of religion and science and think it is ok. (Yes I believe in the Big Bang Theory.)

  In addition, I think we can agree on the basics of religion to be defined by and will include, but not limited, to the following: One, that there is a higher being (God), two, that there is an established set of rules or regulations (Bible, Koran, Torah, Ten Commandments.) that the religious must follow, three, there is a way to explain the world and everything in it and four, that there was a prophet send to intervene in mankind’s  history (Moses, Jesus, Mohamed Etc.) Whatever your religious view, I think we can agree that these things are represented to an extent and can cut across or are sometimes interwoven into other religions.

  When is religion ok to insert in politics? I’m my view, it’s only ok at one point, in which case I hope does not happen, and that point is a national tragedy. (Ie: Sandyhook) Even during Christmas, Chanukah or whatever holiday you celebrate, it is not ok to insert religion or your beliefs into the politic scene. Let’s keep the words  “god”, “Faith”, “Heaven” etc  to the appropriate time and place..

  I stated above that politics/ government (for the sake of the blog I will uses politics and government interchangeably even though I would not do that at any other time.) and religion are intertwined. By intertwined, I mean that there is very little separation between the ideas and words (that produce those meanings or thoughts) and government. Let’s look at some of the examples in Everyday life. Money. Take any American money and you will inevitably find the words “In God We Trust”. On the ONE, FIVE TEN and TWENTY dollar bill it’s on the back (If you have a bill that has a higher amount designated to it, congratulations you have more money than I do.) in the middle, and on the quarter, dime, nickel and penny it’s on the front. Tender of the United States, something that every American has, Has the word God, which is religious in and of itself, printed on it. In Schools, especially in Elementary and Middle schools, the very controversial “Pledge of Allegiance” is said allowed. This has the words “Under God” present in the pledge. We are not only pledging allegiance to our country but to god even if we don’t me to, which is why this is becoming a evermore hot button issue. There are many songs that are patriotic in nature that use the word god in. “God Bless America.”  “American the Beautiful.”  We even say “May God Bless the USA/ America.”

  Let’s go a little further. When the members of Congress, President or Federal Judges are sworn in or do the swearing in, we use what? A bible. Not only that, but thanks to George Washington, almost all people, and subsequently every president after his assent to Chief Executive has said “So help me God.” at the end of their oath of office. This is something that was never  added in writing to the oath of office. This is something that presidents and the people that hold office of our national government CHOOSE to add to the oath. Look even closer at our Congress. The usually choose to start and/or close their sessions with a prayer. This is not a requirement, but a choice. Interesting how people choose to insert their person religion into an institution (govt) that chose to “separate” and establishment of religion from itself.

  The Anti Defamation League states that government” prohibits religious endorsement and regulation”. True on the surface, but look at some of the examples stated above and tell me differently. Endorsement not in law, but by the law maker who influences the law. Ipso Facto the law is determined by religious people and therefore has a religious tint. (Not to say that all members has a religious agenda, but it does not mean that one’s own ethic/ religious/ personal beliefs do not influence their choices.) The league further goes on to say that the “Government plays almost no role in promoting, endorsing or funding religious institutions or religious beliefs.” The key word in that passage is ALMOST. They don’t fund religious institutions, but rather make them tax exempt. What about government funding for institutions of higher learning? They receive funding don’t they? What happens if that institution of higher learning is also a religious institution? I graduated from a Catholic University. The University receives federal and state funding.  I ask, what happened to not funding a religious institution. Again ALMOST is the key word.

I will not, but in mentioning, say that most people in congress who let their personal/ religious ideologies dictate their creation or implementation of laws are wrong. If you believe in a God that “Hates Fags” or that says that discrimination of any kind is ok, you should not be a representative of “The People” or put into a power to take away other peoples freedom. (I will end this rant before I get worked up as this is very near and dear to my heart strings, tug at them and you might just pull the wrong one.)

  What makes this all ok? Simply put, it’s our law that makes it ok. Or rather the “Law of the Land” otherwise known as the Constitution. In our Bill of Rights, added by the first congress in 1791, in Amendment ONE it states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” The first Amendment goes on to talk about freedom of speech next. The Amendment was created to keep One Established Religion (I capitalize it to show that One and Established as important) from creeping into the government like the church of England did. That was the original intent. However, the amendment goes on to say that is no way to prohibit people from exercising their own beliefs and further goes on to say that freedom of speech in any form shall be inhibited, this includes religious speech.  Thank you James Madison.

Personally, due to the social melting pot that is American, I do not believe that politics and religion should be intertwined the way it is. According to the law, I have to submit that not only are the examples stated above lawful , but rightful. I have to remember that our country was founded on Freedoms and even before it was the United States, it was 13 British colonies, most (Especially Massachusetts, Maryland and Pennsylvania) were founded on Religious tolerance for the branches of religion that was not accepted in England. (Puritans, Quakers, Catholics, Calvins, Jews etc.) Religion will always have a place in politics. Does that mean everyone will like it or even tolerate it? No. But then again, the freedom to do or not to do so is what the U.S. was founded on isn’t it?