A View of Politics and Religion by Similarities and Commonalities:

Written By: Albert Andis

As a Libertarian, I have often taken the views of different political views and positions with a grain of salt, to be believed or not. Not so dis-similarly, do I view other religions from my Christian point of view. In some, likewise manner, you can look at how Texans see Texas, and wonder how others can live in Arizona, for example. Looking at the United States of America, for all it has wrong, there is so much it has that is good, when you view the rest of the world.

But it is only after a short email reply I sent my friend John, that I seriously compared Religion to Political Beliefs, in that both are based on people believing. Believing in a Theoretical Possibility, or believing in the Scripture of the Bible; though vastly different, both are for the most part 'faith based', and you are counting on leadership to put into practice certain teachings and principles. Both create Institutions of higher learning to expand their 'fellowship.' Both revolved around a certain amount of activism and 'pledged donations' to accomplish the 'Mission Statement.'

Christian Religions continually seem to be in disagreement with each other about certain aspects of Biblical Scripture. They also, don't agree with the Jewish faith, or the Muslim faith or many other faiths in the world. However, for the most part Cristian Religious followers are not inclined to dislike the 'people of other faiths' based solely on perceptions of religion. There does not seem to be so much fight in religion over who is right and who is wrong, but accepting that the differences are less important than the 'commonality' shared. The one big fault in religious treatment of other people, is the treatment of people who have no religious faith or ceremony and do not believe in a Greater Being. These people get the wrath of all religions.

However, when you look at politics and politicians in the United States, you easily see that in certain situations Party Affiliation is far more important than any other feature of their life and belief system. Elections become very personal battle grounds, where every effort to discredit the opponent is not looked at negatively by other party members. It is even encouraged. Personal insults and attacks are common, rather than focusing debates on political theories and policy impacts of differing parties. The biggest problem is when you don't belong to a Political Party, then you are fair game for them all.

If the practitioners of religions and practitioners or politics could learn to treat all manner of people with equal respect and liberty in speech and action - regardless of the differences in debates - looking for the common ground and similarities, the America we protect so fervently would be some much more deserving of our Selfless Patriotism.

"Christ and God have nothing to do with politics, actually. The sooner the general public understands that, the better off we will all be, politically. Picking up a religion is almost like picking a political party - it is an affiliation of those willing to follow certain doctrines; though for very different reasoning I hope. However, if the religious people in the world would refrain from disdaining those who are not of their faith - the world would be in a better place as well. Likewise with politicians and nonpolitical individuals.

I am a believer, however I don't follow a religion or 'practice ceremony' ritual in my relationship with the Creator. That is my relations between me and 'Him', and not for public discussion or debate. So, fear not that you believe in your way, fear not also if you believe not; as such is your liberty and the liberty of all Americans."