Should Governments be Secular?

Should governments be secular. Should God influence the decisions made by our world leaders? Of course besides the obvious "laws are based around christian morals like do not kill" etc (lets clear this up... I know that not killing people didn;t originate with religion... it is an example of arguments for religion based government), how far should religion be involved in world politics. Is it a good or bad idea to do things for a God, and change things because it is what "god" wants.

So my question is, as the title suggests, should governments be secular? And to what extent should God feature in these governments if they are not secular.

Personally, I believe God should stay out of politics, it only clouds judgements and can be a catalyst for bad things.

As for the candidates well they're entitled to free speech so they can talk about god all they want. I'm not fond of it but I'd rather that be the situation than limit what they can say.

Governments should stay as secular as possible. Religious governments don't do anything for their nations.

Yeah, the Jews really invented the idea of not killing people. :| I believe that democracies and republics should be secular.CptJSparrow

You know what I mean though, there is always that stereotype of before religion everyone was a savage and so forth. Of course I know that not killing each other did not originate with religion, however it is a commonly used argument.

Religion and politics do not mix.

Keep Church and State seperate.

On the state level I don't think so. If the people of that state choose to include some forms of religon in their governement through voting then I say it's ok. Obviously the laws can't be prejudice toward other religons or groups.

I do believe in separation of Church and State on the federal level, something we (the US) already have in place.

Of course besides the obvious "laws are based around christian morals like do not kill" etc, how far should religion be involved in world politics.

Samwel_X

The idea that killing is wrong did not originate with Christianity, it originated with people not wanting themselves or their loved ones to die. And do I even need to mention the numerous acts of violence and genocide throughout the Bible that are committed, condoned or commanded by God himself?

EDIT: I know that you know, but it needed to be said. ;)

But back on topic, the answer is yes. Religion should have absolutely no place in any government process, nor should faith-based organizations ever receive federal funding. The reason? Freedom of/from religion. Not every individual in an entire nation is going to follow the same doctrine, and therefore should not have obey any laws based on a religion they might not adhere to.

To put it simply (albeit not simply enough for some people), you can worship whatever you want, including nothing, and the government can do nothing about it.

Well, I want to ask everyone this if you believe in God or have any religion whatsoever, What cant God the creator of the universe the sustainer of the worlds, not govern or control what he has created? Is his law flawed?

Well, I want to ask everyone this if you believe in God or have any religion whatsoever, What cant God the creator of the universe the sustainer of the worlds, not govern or control what he has created? Is his law flawed?

ShadowtheDark

just to play devils advocate here, there is more than one god across the world, so if you are a staunch religious fanatic and base your policies accordingly, it will be very hard for you to compromise with other regions or nations who have different views and beliefs

god and politics mix about as well as chocolate and mayonnaiseg-unit248

No, they mix about as well as Halo 3 and a blender.

On the state level I don't think so. If the people of that state choose to include some forms of religon in their governement through voting then I say it's ok. Obviously the laws can't be prejudice toward other religons or groups.

I do believe in separation of Church and State on the federal level, something we (the US) already have in place.

limpbizkit818

From an outsider's perspective the whole separation of Church and State in the US seems like a big joke. You get religious fundamentalists on the federal level denying homosexuals of basic human rights.

[QUOTE="limpbizkit818"]

On the state level I don't think so. If the people of that state choose to include some forms of religon in their governement through voting then I say it's ok. Obviously the laws can't be prejudice toward other religons or groups.

I do believe in separation of Church and State on the federal level, something we (the US) already have in place.

LAZZOR

From an outsider's perspective the whole separation of Church and State in the US seems like a big joke. You get religious fundamentalists on the federal level denying homosexuals of basic human rights.

I gotta agree with Lazzor. Not only homosexuality, but also take a look at the choices going on related to stem cell research and abortion. I'd say the church has more influence on the government in the U.S. than a lot of other democracies, like Canada or the U.K.

It'll be interesting to see what happens at the federal level in the U.S. if a Democrat takes over the White House in the next election.

Religion and politics should not mix.

Sadly they have and it shall be the end of us.