This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Politics and religion.

"Surely both religion and political position are merely beliefs and so should be subject to the same scrutiny."

Agree/disagree? Reasons?

Reply 1

aaronc2

I agree that they ideally should be, but its too sensitive really

Reply 2

psychic_satori

1

I agree with the poster above. It would be nice to think that everyone could take criticism of both topics well, but religion is a subject which is very personal for some people, and it causes them to get emotional and irrational when faced with opposition.

Politics is estranged enough from most people that they won't take questioning of political opinions with the same sort of outrage that some people can get over religion

Reply 3

Zakaz

OP

psychic_satori

I agree with the poster above. It would be nice to think that everyone could take criticism of both topics well, but religion is a subject which is very personal for some people, and it causes them to get emotional and irrational when faced with opposition.

Politics is estranged enough from most people that they won't take questioning of political opinions with the same sort of outrage that some people can get over religion

I've met some very politically-minded people and they do tend to get 'emotional' if you say the wrong thing.

Yet it is deemed by society to be ok to label all fascists as "racist idiots", all BNP members as "fascist, nazi hooligans" and all lib dems as "gay". But if one even dares to do anything like this regarding religion all hell breaks loose.

In my view; there is no answer to this except that people are ridiculous hypocrites.

Reply 4

psychic_satori

1

Well, there are extremists with everything, but, generally speaking, most people will be open to questioning of their political beliefs before they will be open to questioning their religious beliefs. This is probably because political alleigance is something that is rationalized as what policies one finds worthwhile, but religion is more dependent upon having faith, which can't be rationalized.

Reply 5

Bismarck

13

I should also add that despite rhetoric to the contrary, most people are born with a certain religion and very rarely change it.

Reply 6

Zakaz

OP

psychic_satori

Well, there are extremists with everything, but, generally speaking, most people will be open to questioning of their political beliefs before they will be open to questioning their religious beliefs. This is probably because political alleigance is something that is rationalized as what policies one finds worthwhile, but religion is more dependent upon having faith, which can't be rationalized.

I'm sorry to use Fascism as an example but I think it's relevant:

"but religion is more dependent upon having faith, which can't be rationalized."

Some people have faith in Fascism, others in Communism and others in Democracy, which cannot be totally rationalized.

I would also argue that there are policies in religion which should be looked at and considered. If I was considering converting to be a jew but I really like pork then obviously that "policy" would contradict with me.

Reply 7

psychic_satori

1

Zakaz

I'm sorry to use Fascism as an example but I think it's relevant:

"but religion is more dependent upon having faith, which can't be rationalized."

Some people have faith in Fascism, others in Communism and others in Democracy, which cannot be totally rationalized.

Well, again I would argue that the majority of people are pragmatic about politics and take up opinions based upon something beyond their gut. Even the silly 18-year-olds in Che Guevara t-shirts usually have some (poor) reason for why they think Communism is the way to go.

I would also argue that there are policies in religion which should be looked at and considered. If I was considering converting to be a jew but I really like pork then obviously that "policy" would contradict with me.

Well, firstly, most religious policies aren't cut and dry. If you partake in some yummy pork barbecue, God *probably* won't smite you (I hope!).

Furthermore, I don't think it would be well-respected in any religion if one based one's religious beliefs on the dinner menu or clothing of a selected religion.

Reply 8

Zoecb

11

Yes of course. However with politics you only have a few things on offer (parties to vote for) and let's face it, they're all far from perfect.

Religion has more options, including "create your own" if you choose to be maybe agnostic or just a spiritual-but-not-religious person...

Reply 9

Zakaz

OP

Zoecb

Yes of course. However with politics you only have a few things on offer (parties to vote for) and let's face, they're all far from perfect.

Religion has more options, including "create your own" if you choose to be maybe agnostic or just a spiritual-but-not-religious person...

Isn't there 'create your own' with politics?

There are quite a bit more than just a 'few' parties:
http://www.electoralcommission.gov.uk/regulatory-issues/partylinks.cfm

Reply 10

Zoecb

11

Technically, yes. But one party wins a general election.

No one religion can 'win' over the others. People have their own and agree to disagree (unless they're extremists, obviously).

Politics and religion.

Related discussions

Articles for you