Why is religion dragged into us politics so much?

Question

like in the cases of abortion, s*x education etc etc. like in the countries ive lived in ive never heard god be used as reason to do anything politically speaking so just wanted to know why i often read on here peoples politcal opinions being formed by religion?

Answer 1

It was not  until the late 70's. Some people were outraged about the abortion decision by the supreme court  but the issue was not identified with either party until Reagan adopted a  pro life position and made it part of the Republican platform. Increasingly since then, people vote on cultural/religious issues  instead of economic ones like they use to. It is these issues that has given the Republicans the   ruling majority over that last decades and they want to keep it front and center.

Answer 2

Because there is some cross connection between politics and religion.  How many times is God mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, for example?  The Founding Fathers obviously thought religion could be a guiding factor in politics, but not an overwhelming one.  Just because some don't like religion doesn't mean we all have to eradicate it from our normal discourse.

Answer 3

Why?

Because people are weak and need something or someone to lead them, lay something down for them, rules, a guide, a book, so they will have the ability to try as they may to try and out-religion each other.

The first settlers, around 1491, were not the Founding Fathers.

These first settlers killed the Natives, and killed each other for having different religious beliefs.

The danger of religion over-powering the state only leads to a theocracy.

One look at the Middle East should show everyone what happens when religion runs awry.

Jefferson believed that Christianity had been corrupted. So he cut up his Bible to highlight only the parts he found true and "sublime." Read Jefferson's "Life and Morals of Jesus"--and his deletions. (http://www.beliefnet.com) The very Bible (and Quran) that new people in Congress place their hands on, which was written by Thomas Jefferson, have all supernatural parts removed from them.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-...

Helpful quotes from Founding Fathers:

"I have examined all the known superstitions of the world, and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites; to support roguery and error all over the earth.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

"The Government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion." ~ John Adams; Treaty of Tripoli

"I would not dare to so dishonor my Creator God by attaching His name to that book (the Bible). Among the most detestable villains in history, you could not find one worse than Moses. Here is an order, attributed to 'God' to butcher the boys, to massacre the mothers and to debauch and rape the daughters. I would not dare so dishonor my Creator's name by (attaching) it to this filthy book (the Bible)." ~ Thomas Paine

"The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion". ~ Thomas Paine

"The number, the industry, and the morality of the Priesthood, and the devotion of the people have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the Church and the State."~ James Madison

a.k.a. 'The Father of the Constitution of the United States of America'

"The United States of America should have a foundation free from the influence of clergy." ~ George Washington

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-...

Suggested Reading, (and yes, I have read all of these and MANY more!):

How I Helped Found the Religious Right and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back ~ Frank Schaeffer

The Godless Constitution: A Moral Defense of the Secular State ~ Isaac Kramnick and Laurence Moore

‘Blasphemy: How the Religious Right is Hijacking the Declaration of Independence’

~ Alan Dershowitz

Close Encounters With the Religious Right: Journeys into the Twilight Zone of Religion and Politics ~ Rob Boston

The Fundamentals of Extremism: The Christian Right in America ~ Kimberly Blaker

Jefferson and Madison on the Separation of Church and State ~ Lenni Brenner

The Separation of Church and State: Writings on a Fundamental Freedom by America's Founders ~ Forrest Church

Secular Revelations: The Constitution of the United States and Classic American Literature ~ Mitchell Meltzer

Why the Religious Right Is Wrong About Separation of Church and State ~ Rob Boston

Thomas Jefferson and the Wall of Separation Between Church and State (Critical America) ~ Daniel Dreisbach

Liars For Jesus: The Religious Right's Alternate Version of American History Vol. 1 ~ Chris Rodda

A Church in Search of Itself: Benedict XVI and the Battle for the Future who covered Vatican II for Time, has written extensively on reform in the Church ~ Robert Blair Kaiser, With Rob Miller, he is a co-founder of TakeBackOurChurch.org

There are many more books explaining the need for and the reality of ‘Separation of Church and State’, more than books that try to sell the lie that there is none.

Answer 4

It is not allowed in schools, or other public places.  Only when the 'gloves come off' can it be mentioned here!!!

Answer 5

because there is a strong movement in America to make this country into a theocracy

Answer 6

Because people use the bible to justify their own hatred.  They also use it because they are trying to take over this Country, and we have to speak out against them.  Remember when the British people asked how can 59 million people be so stupid.?  Well they were all the religious fanatics in this country who voted for George W. Bush.  You know the war monger who is trying to push his beliefs down the worlds throat?  Now do you understand?

Answer 7

You don't have to be religious to know that something is morally wrong.

It just happens that religious people tend to hold certain beliefs and secular people believe that s*x with farm animals should be a personal choice.

Answer 8

Because some have been led to believe that the US is based on religion instead of it being a secular nation founded by men who knew the danger of religious zealots who would try to force their "values" on all US citizens.

Answer 9

Read the constitution and there you will find why American politics are characterized by religious underpinnings.  

Further, you can't divorce your worldview from politics.  Whether your worldview is religious or secular, in either instance it characterizes your politics.  

Answer 10

It's a mask to make the person running seem like the are a good moral person with religious values.  It can also help the person running get votes from certain religious groups depending on their choice of faith.