How much has our faith/faiths crossed over into our laws and our more political lives?
361138
There is no such thing as separation of Church and State.  The President makes decisions based on his beliefs.  That is the Church deciding what the State should implement.  Whether the Church is directly influencing or indirectly in this case.
229727
that depends on your faith.
720907
Quite possible since thay both head up tyrannus administrations.. one being government, the other monotheistic religion. Not much difference there.
198107
Good job! You've mixed religion and politics in the same question. Bold move :-)
251908
Everything. Religions train you to accept things without proof, and then politicians make you do the same thing. But what may be acceptable in religions is absolutely wrong in politics.
1041648
I don't think so.  I believe that people who do put alot of faith in god are giving the credit of their actions to another being.  God didn't create or plan your actions- you did!
732583
This is a complex question but in short I think that most people still cling to the idea of us being a christian country because to say otherwise would indicate that we are a faithless nation. I think that the majority of people in the country still believe in God even though the traditional ways of worship have declined drastically.
1065705
Yes. You could see it in the election of Bush. The religious right that elected him think they have the right to make him push their policies. It is detremental. Though maybe not any more detrimental than having big business/oil impacting politics. \n\nCan't there be some type of limits on special interest groups like Focus of the Family pushing their agenda in Washington? It's a blight on the fact of democracy when big money and influence wins power in our government . . .
796651
You are kind of right. Our beliefs and personality are determined in where are we raised, what kind of parents we have, the political climate of our region. The culture and religion has shape the way we feel and think about social issues. This leads to action which therefore determines how our life will be like. I was raised in a pretty nothern blue state. My parens are Democrats and I grew up in a hispanic neighborhood so there was a lot of Democratic support. I also think that being Hispanic and Catholic has shaped the way I look at life which may determined how I act. So in an indirect way, our family and region determines our actions which will lead to how we control our lives.
376722
When I met my husband, 1988, he was just falling away from Christianity, and I, being at that time a non-Christian, pulled him even further. We got married in a registry office (Gretna Green, Scotland), and after being married 6 years or so, things weren't great between us. Then God virtually hit me over the head one day, I had a shock revelation that God was real, and I became a Christian. My husband was adamant that I was being a fool by believing in all that, but 2 years later and after much prayer, he came back to Christ, that was a year ago. Now we have a great marriage, we lead a house group together. Our marriage may not have survived had I not believed that God wanted me to stay married (it says so in the Bible.) There are faults in all marriages, whatever faith you have, but for us, seeking God's will together has put all our troubles in perspective, when we have money problems we know God is helping us through so that cuts out much stress. Also raising our kids to know Jesus makes parenting easier as there is a higher authority to refer to.
903771
I think it's a combination of both politics and religion. This is especially the case when certain people in power use religion as a means for furthering their political goals.
826822
I believe no matter what religion one is or is not, it is God that matters now and in the end. I "respect" all faiths and beliefs.\nGod Bless
658376
'cos for some people law is religion.
1090025
Yes I believe it has gone to far.  I remember saying it when I was in school (I am 32 now) and there was nothing wrong with it then or now.  It dosn't say WHICH god so it shouldn't be an issue.  Most people have their own gods.  Is only the athiests that have a problem.  They say the division between church and state but once again it dosnt say what type of church so why does it matter.
736101
All most religions are is a series of laws.  So, the answer to that question is yes, but it works both ways.\n\nMany religous laws were born from political, social or historical events that the church (or leaders) felt the need to address.\n\nMost first year law books on the orgins of law would support you thesis.
9287
We do not all claim faith.
1026456
1. This question is posted many times every day.\n\n2. I realize that no one reads this when I just link to it, so here is my response to a previous version of this question:\n\nI believe that I have been nothing but courteous to the people of faith here. I openly deny their belief-system. They openly deny mine. That's fine. We have, however, engaged in some very respectful debate, much to the benefit (I hope) of both sides. I know that my beliefs have not changed, but my preconceptions about young-Earth Christians have been shattered by some of the people I have found here. I think that they are wrong, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to debate with them without resorting to name-calling or rudeness.\n\nGranted, this requires an openness on both our parts. I think that their faith is "wrong." They think that my lack of faith is "wrong." This is where most people get hung up and debate can go no further. If someone disagreeing with you is "offensive," you're stuck. Once you accept this disagreement, you are quite free to exchange ideas. This is what I have found here (for the most part.)\n\nAs for why I spend so much time in the religion and spirituality forum, I see faith as playing a huge role in the lives of everyone in the world, be they moderate Muslims, fundamentalist Christians, Pagans, or Atheists like myself.\n\nIn my supposedly free country I see gays discriminated against due to faith. People who would never think of using the N-word openly hate and criticize homosexuals for what they are, not who they are. \n\nI see medical advances that could help millions of people stymied by arguments that have their basis in faith. Stem cell research could potentially ease the suffering of billions around the globe, but people of faith stand in the way.\n\nWe are currently involved in what may or may not be a holy war. This is an issue of faith.\n\nOur current government supports "faith-based initiatives" in what may be a breach of The Constitution itself.\n\nI know that faith helps people sleep at night. This doesn't undo the tremendous amount of suffering it has inflicted at every turn of history. \n\nI see faith as a problem, and would like to encourage people to put aside their myths and embrace reason. However, I realize that this is futile. As Jonathan Swift said, "It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into."\n\nThat said, I think that Yahoo Answers provides a wonderful opportunity to try to see where other people are coming from. I disagree with the Christians (and Muslims and Pagans...), but I think it is very important for me to try to understand them. I would hope that they will try to understand me. Once we find some common ground and some mutual respect, we can truly start to talk about things.\n\nI hate the name-calling. The largest problem I have with religion is that it is divisive. I feel that this is the most important aspect of faith that needs to be removed from the equation. Name-calling is also divisive and does not fit into my attempts to act reasonably.\n\nI feel that I deny, but do not scoff. I embrace and enjoy open debate. I think that the things discussed here are important. I'd like to think that some of the things I have to say are pertinent. \n\nIf you want a place for only Christians (for example) to exchange ideas, there are plenty of places on the web for that. However, I think that this exclusion of other mindsets and worldviews does a disservice to those who would seek such a closed system.\n\nThat's why, as an atheist, I show up on the religion thread.