Do you think religion has a place in politics?

We are a Democratic Republic, not a Theocracy. Politics and religion are two separate entities and should remain that way. Politicians who use religious rhetoric to bolster their campaign or disparage their opponent are doing the American electorate a grave disservice.

no religion has no place in state affairs.

Yes - the only time I would personally want to hear anything is when they are talking about freedom of religion. Otherwise someone's religion doesn't effect whether or not I believe they'd make a good president.

Not at all.

Religion and politics should not mix.There are political parties which uses religion to gain mileage in their influence hence creating confusion and biasness in their election campaigns.

Not at all. It just gets in the way. If a Christian takes office, and they bring their religion with them, they probably would be biased against the minorities. Like when you have to swear in on a Bible in court. What about Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Wiccans, and everyone else thats not Christian. It makes alot of us feel like we're not as important as Christians (At least it makes me feel that way) I think its unfair and stupid when relgion is brought into politics.

Only at second order. religion has a place in people's lives, and people have a place in politics. Obviously, their religion will inform people's choice of political policy. But they should promote that policy in it's own right, not as a religiously defined artefact.

"Religion" doesn't, faith and belief do.

No, it should never have. It doesn't matter at all if people follow Islam, Christianity, Buddhism or whatever, it has nothing to do with politics

Not for me. I would rather have a Jewish, Muslim, or Buddhist guy(or gal) in there if they not what they are doing over a Christian who has no clue.

Probably since the whole keep religion and state separate thingy.

Only if they want me to take them seriously (in response to the original question I responded to "Should politicians keep religion out of their speeches?")

EDIT FOR CURRENT QUESTION: NOT if they want me to take them seriously

Yes. In fact most of them should keep politics out of their speeches. They just show how ignorant they are.

Since politics is carried out by people and a person's faith is part of them, then yes. It has an integral part of politics. It can't and shouldn't be removed. People get their moral center from their religion and their faith. I don't want to live in a world where it is removed.

No, but it dose.

It has, but it's not something i like. But many laws of many countries are probably based on religion (like those saying you shall not kill and steal.

Yes but only at their funerals...

I do not visit churches and demand they make policy about my neighbourhood, saying we need more/less taxes, allow in/expel immigrants or demand we go to war.

So I don't want them in government

No - I do not thinks so. Seperation of Church and State should be respected and I'm sick of watching it get trampled all over and " interpreted " seperate that was the purpose.


Good Question

No, because religion plays its part in politics, especially here in America. It is important for me to know a person's ideology before I vote for them, because what they say they will do will depend on what they believe.

Hard to. Some people believe in abortion based on religion. So.......hard to keep that out of an abortion speech.

A person's religion really is a central portion of who they are, hard to keep that away from voters.

I think they should if it is TRULY a large part of their lives. I don't want to hear them offer lip service to religion though. If they don't really believe that is their business, but they shouldn't try to make it out like they are faithful if they aren't.

In places like Afghanistan

FREEDOM of ALL religions must be PROTECTED!!!
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some districts that are heavily one religious group or another will tend to elect representatives who support their view and who actively vote in ways that are consistent with the political views of the constituents of that religion. is this proper?
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i don't think that legislators ought to be allowed to live in apartment buildings with their mistresses paid for by religious groups, as we have recently seen.

Not unless you want a selection of bland candidates with no strong beliefs about anything.

they should talk about what they feel strongly about. if that is about religion, then I want to know what there feelings/beliefs are. so then I can make it my choice to vote for them or not.