Religion and Politics

It started with the article J.P. sent me from R. R. Reno, "Religion and Public Life in America, continuing with a breakfast discussion and a myriad of follow up emails about separation of Church and State.  In a social and work settings you should always avoid topics on Religion, Politics or Sex.  So combining a discussion or two of these - Religion and Politics creates fireworks.

I think the wisdom of our forefathers was reflected in establishing freedom of religion in an attempt to build a wall between religion from politics.  I associate my politics most closely with Libertarian ideology, and I tend to want Government totally out of legislating morality (the domain of religion).  But the issue of common good, public health, and community always creates a "gray" area of uncertainty in the dogma of fundamental political principle.

Just look at the volatile subjects combining religion and politics (historically and today) - drugs, alcohol, pornography, prostitution, homosexuality, abortion, contraception, polygamy, interracial marriage, same sex marriage, adultery, sodomy, (given the list so far you can see why the third area to avoid is sex), women's rights, slavery, conscription...... I'm sure I've missed many. 

In many cases, the Government is forced into legislating these issues as competing religions (or atheists) fight over who is right - and what is truth.  We are free to believe what we want - but practicing the belief in a community setting or trying to impose that belief on others is the crux of most legislative conflict.

Religion and Politics are tied together like a magnet - but keep the poles on opposite sides.

That is Intelligent Design  :)