Church and State

So I was watching Bill Maher on HBO and he was having an interesting chat with Mos Def on politics and religion so I figured Youtube would have some other interesting clips. The one I found related to a stat Lobdell had given us in class about how large of a percentage of Americans would not vote for a President if he did not have a religious affiliation with God. I find it very interesting that in the world we live in, a world full of change from the past, we are still stuck in a pothole when it comes to diversity in our presidents when it comes to religion. I understand that a majority of Americans are Christian, and therefore would most likely prefer a President with parallel beliefs, but it is disheartening to me that a man who would proclaim himself as atheist has absolutely no chance of winning not only a presidential election, but any election for a government position. Although nearly all the government positions are filled by some denomination of Christianity, there are a few different religions occupying some seats in the House and Senate.

An interesting statistic was that 43% of Americans surveyed said that they would not vote for a Mormon under any circumstance, and nearly the same percent said they would not vote for a candidate of no faith. Maher brings up an interesting point in that, as crazy as the beliefs of the Mormons may be (special underwear that brings spiritual power), a burning bush or a virgin who was pregnant are just as radical of ideas in today’s modern world. Being religious myself, it is hard for me to just accept these statements, but it does prove that Americans are very stubborn and stuck in their deeply valued principals and values based on faith that can not be proven.

Critique of a Critique

----In response to certain portions of Lobdell's Religious Beat.----

After reading Lobdell’s article on his new Religious Beat, my respect for religion in as a general benefit for individuals in society has waned a bit. I previously believed that although religion is dangerous in the hands of powerful politicians and world leaders, it is a positive form of extracurricular for the public worldwide. This article’s insight on a couple different religions exposed some of the ignorance involved by the members within them, and I know that the mentioned religions are not the only ones who has followers who can be ignorant and naïve.

So it makes me question whether or not this whole religion thing is actually a benefit for mankind. Would mankind be better off without diversity in faith? Or is it necessary to create the various cultures and ideas that have made this earth so rich and complex?

As much as I can see the bright side of religion and the great effects on people’s lives, reading things like how the Mormons shun those who have left their church and act is if they do not even exist in their world and how the Catholics completely ignore the facts of their priests committing heinous crimes and still consider naming a church hall after them. It just goes to show how blinding religion can be, and it stretches far beyond America.

I have all the respect in the world for anyone who is deeply religious and I have respect for their beliefs as well, but when those people and their beliefs blind them from simple realities in the world, that’s when I lose respect, that’s when I begin to question religion myself.

Moral Majoritry

Okay, so I’m not exactly sure who this guy is or whether or not he is a credible source, but he does make an interesting point about halfway through this clip when he talks about how Islam has much in common with the “moral majority” that Jerry Falwell inspired a movement out of. It’s a sad truth, one that until it is fully acknowledged by both sides will not change. Regardless of which religion we belong to, a large portion of it is shared with several other religious views out there and even though America is relatively diverse, we do believe, morally at least in a lot of the same things.

The problem we face is our focus. We gear our emotions towards the negatives aspects, almost looking for something to fight for, looking for a reason to disagree and argue. I don’t want to seem naïve because I do not truly think everyone can just leave their hate behind and embrace each other, but I do envision a process that human society can take part of in order to shift our focus to what we have in common, rather than what we see differently.

Every religion has their fanatics, but there are enough people in each respective religion that have their heads on straight to be able to pursue a stronger connection with our religious counter-parts. At the moment, I see different religions almost as enemies of each other, which I find funny in a cynical sort of way because when it comes down to it, religion can not be proven, it is merely a faith based on stories from centuries ago.

Will our generation get to experience a world that embraces one another rather than prioritizing our differences? Almost seems like too easy of a question, when the answer is so simple to begin with.

P.S. Sorry if my writing is all over the place, lazy summer and I am still trying to get back in the swing of things. Thanks for the patience.

Blog 1, A quick run-down.

For my first blog i wanted to keep it simple and just lay down some basic trains of thought that my mind goes through. My basic perception on how religion is tied into politics as well as the media is a negative one. I do not believe that the general public is educated enough on the mass diversity of religions that not only exist in America, but ones that are shown in the news on a daily basis.

But, regardless of the perception of the public, I still do believe that mixing religion with politics will eventually lead to trouble; whether it is violent and physical, or demeaning and subtle.

When it comes to America, it is hard to get away from mixing the two. American politics were based on the religious views of the founding fathers when America first became an autonomous nation. The core principals and values were derived from the Christian faith and since little has changed when it comes to the majority of those who ran the government today, it is easy to see why little has changed.

Do I think that we can ever stray away from religion when dealing with political affairs and keep the government completely secular? No, it is too deeply rooted in not only our traditions but also in the people who run our government. But we do need to find a way to make a more effective system not only within the United States, but with our foreign affairs as well.