When religion and politics collide, what yields?

[SoonerCoug]

I've always thought that people use their religion to justify their politics, rather than vice versa. Case in point: Bin Laden.

I think the same thing has happened with ultra-conservatives in the LDS Church. It WOULD happen with liberals in the Church more often, if liberals were more welcome in Mormon society.

To complicate matters further: when the Church openly takes a position on an issue like gay marriage, the masses make the automatic conclusion that only one party (Republican) is acceptable.

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by SoonerCoug

I've always thought that people use their religion to justify their politics, rather than vice versa. Case in point: Bin Laden.

I think the same thing has happened with ultra-conservatives in the LDS Church. It WOULD happen with liberals in the Church more often, if liberals were more welcome in Mormon society.

To complicate matters further: when the Church openly takes a position on an issue like gay marriage, the masses make the automatic conclusion that only one party (Republican) is acceptable.

How would one go about using politics to justify their religion? That doesn't even make sense.

Political beliefs are by necessity driven by the practical application of one's belief set.

[SoonerCoug]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

Political beliefs are by necessity driven by the practical application of one's belief set.

I disagree. Beliefs about how society should govern itself do not have to be linked to one's personal religious beliefs. In fact, I think it's better if these two issues are kept separate.

Politics justifying religion is the reason Christianity became a major world religion.

[BlueK]

Originally Posted by SoonerCoug

I've always thought that people use their religion to justify their politics, rather than vice versa. Case in point: Bin Laden.

I think the same thing has happened with ultra-conservatives in the LDS Church. It WOULD happen with liberals in the Church more often, if liberals were more welcome in Mormon society.

To complicate matters further: when the Church openly takes a position on an issue like gay marriage, the masses make the automatic conclusion that only one party (Republican) is acceptable.

Actually I think the fanatics you're talking about usually choose their politics over the church when there is conflict. They either go inactive or decide the church has gone astray. (ie. the Bo Gritz bombshelter building faction) That's what really proves their fanaticism. There aren't that many instances where there is a conflict big enough for this to come out though. I could see a some fallout if say, Congress passed a really strict and punitive immigration law and the church spoke out against it.