Exploitation Of Religion By Politicians!

[veerar]

There is so much talk about religion,to the extent of being hysterical,that i could not help,starting this thread.
The Oxford Dictionary,defines religion as,a "particular system of faith and worship".
So there can be as many religions as there are human beings on this planet.
All religions started as a "way of life",by a group of people or Society.Thus religion,touches all aspects of one's life.But as Science developed,and the Industrial Revolution,started and progressed,men left their Societies,in search of livelihood,in far away places.This is the first stage,in which the religion,as we know now,took the first of a series of knocks,eventhough Socrates,as long ago as,about 2400 years ago had questioned the belief in Greek Gods(or Gods of Athens),in the city of Athens!Many have followed Socrates since!
In old religions,there is a stress on Gods,belonging to nature,as Earth,Fire,Thunder,Water(Rain),Wind(Air),Thunder,Lightning etc.That is anything,against which,our ancestors,were helpless,were considered as Gods,whether they be mountains,rivers,seas,animals etc etc.
People who achieved extraordinary success,were also considered Gods.For example,in Greece,there were temples built for Alexander the Great.
So what was considered as God was,nothing but,POWERFUL BEINGS.
So much for Gods and religion.
It is highly,ironical,that in this enlightened 21 st century,when technology,is advancing rapidly,throwing,what was considered impossible,to winds,people fight over RELIGION,which is nothing but a way of life,by a group of people.
In very advanced countried,Politicians are exploiting this,to capture political power,creating FUNDAMENTALISM,which forces other religious groups to start their own,in defence.Thus a vicious cycle begins.
Thus as in all fights,things start with a misunderstanding.With so much nukes and other conventional weapons around,it is the duty of Polticians,to eschew religious exploitaion,which starts wars,delibeately.
How many innocents,have lost their lives,their loved ones and proeprty, etc,because of this!
ONE HOPES THIS APPEAL TO POLITICIANS NOT TO EXPLOIT RELIGION,FOR CAPTURING POWER IN THEIR ON AND FOREIGN LANDS, WILL NOT FALL ON DEAF EARS!

[youngborean]

Hi,

I was just wondering if you could put forward a particular question for debate. This would be a fruitful topic to discuss. Thanks.

[veerar]

Hi,

I was just wondering if you could put forward a particular question for debate. This would be a fruitful topic to discuss. Thanks.

Hi,thanks for reminding me.
I wanted to add "what's your take?",at the end of my post,but thought that it would be taken for granted.Sorry for the lapse.
While,I would like to point out that Religion or religious leaders,acted as something similar to modern day,Psychiatrists,and that it had done a lot of other good things for humanity,in general,the present day trend towards FUNDAMENTALISM,is alarming!
Hence my questions are:-
1.Do you think,that Politicians,are exploiting religion,creating "MASS HYSTERIA",and in so doing,making all look unintelligent and foolish?-In short exploiting our weakness for our beliefs,in our Religions.
2.Do you feel,that Religion,is so important,and worth fighting for,and losing millions of innocent lives,property, and the psychological trauma of the victims?A war once started,will create a permanent enemy.Examples,notwithstanding all the diplomatic nuances,are:-India and Pakistan,China and Japan,North and South Koreas,Sunnis and Shias,Christian and Muslim,Jews and Muslims.......
3.Do you feel,religion,can compete with Science?
4.Do you think that religion,encourages false beliefs and superstitions?
5.Do you feel Science is better than Religion,the nukes and similar weapons of destruction,notwithstanding?
6.Do you think,that politicians are exploiting Religion,to capture POWER,in their own and foreign nations?
7.Whom do you prefer:- a Politician,a Religious person or a Scientist,as a national leader?

[micatala]

This is a lot of questions for one thread, some of which have a few built in assumptions, but I will answer at least the bolded one.

Yes, some politicians use religion to their own ends. I would include some in the U.S. as well as the likes of Mr. Bin Laden, and President Ahmadinejad in Iran.

On the other hand, many religious persons or persons with definite religions views have made great leaders. Ghandi, Martin Luther King, and yes even some in the U.S.

As far as which I would prefer, I think there are other factors that I would weigh as more important than these categories. They are also not mutually exclusive.

[Noachian]

Many politicans are exploiting religion but it is a bit old fasioned now , very little people do in now, its to noticable. However when someone does do it then it makes a mocery of the Religion which is being taken advantage of.

[hindweb]

Nations like India and Pak, the elections are fought and won on a religious basis. The congress government in India is known for its minority vote bank and their appeasement policies...

http://dharma.indviews.com

[Confused]

I agree with Micatala in that your post has many questions in one thread. But I will follow suit and answer the most prevalent. Do politicians take advantage of religion. Yes, duh. But lets be fair and flip the coin. Religions take just as much advantage of politicians so it seem to me that noone is taking advantage of anyone, it seems more like a fair trade in reality. Sick!!!!!!!!

[Confused]

2.Do you feel,that Religion,is so important,and worth fighting for,and losing millions of innocent lives,property, and the psychological trauma of the victims?A war once started,will create a permanent enemy.Examples,notwithstanding all the diplomatic nuances,are:-India and Pakistan,China and Japan,North and South Koreas,Sunnis and Shias,Christian and Muslim,Jews and Muslims

NO. If God needs man to fight His war for Him, then he isn't the all powerful being He claims to be.

3.Do you feel,religion,can compete with Science?

My answer is a little biased right now, but I would say no, because science isn't currently condemning me.

4.Do you think that religion,encourages false beliefs and superstitions?

I think it reinforces a certain amount of healthy values, but I think it hurts as much as it helps.

5.Do you feel Science is better than Religion,the nukes and similar weapons of destruction,notwithstanding?

I don't think of them in the same class of competition. But science cures diseases just as it creates them. At least there is a balancing act. Religion has no balance. It is all or nothing.