Dear Members,

I have an important question regarding Religion and Politics, can both move
together in harmony or do u really think that their could be a conflict between both?

As you know that in West, the State and Churches were seperated because
the popes had negative feelings regarding technological,scientific and wordly progress which includes materalism but the govts had no other option but to seperate Churches from State to make this happen.

Does this means that Bible or Christianity is against scientific and technological progress and advancement or it was the mentality of the classical popes and their personal interpretation of the Bible which lead them to think that Scientific and Technological progress are contrary to the teachings of Bible?

I think nobody is interested to discuss this topic?

Your premise is wrong, your historical facts are ill conceived and your prejudice against anything non-Islam is too heavily noticeable to bother replying.

What I meant to say about this historical incident was not something that
u understood, I am not hear to speak anything against non-Islamic faiths.
If I was against Christianity ,I wouldnot have been talking about the similarities between Islam and Christianity.

As far as the seperation of Church and State is concerned, this is a fact in the world history ,it is not my personal opinion.

I meant to have a discussion about politics and religion whether both can
go along in harmony.

The Seperation of Church and State is one of the incidents in the World History that has lead people to think that Religion and Politics cannot move together.

Please don't take me negatively, what I wanted to actually know was that
how Bible is in harmony with the Political teachings and what aspects of Bible are not in favour of Politics.

I hope I have cleared myself now.

In this discussion ,all views and comments are welcomed from any individual having any creed or background.

I think it's all part of the process of consciousness unfolding or spirit-in-action.

Fahad1--
Chai is right; your premise is wrong. The phrase 'separation of church and state' was a linguistic construct to explain that people are entitled to free expression; i.e., to have freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. It also meant that it was not OK for the government to establish a state religion.

You would do well to inform yourself better on this topic and then reformulate your thread if you wish to discuss this further.

But to your question, science and religion must reconcile. Abdu'l-Baha wrote:

--Steve--

I think we have a very distinct separation of Church and State in America. We have a prized document called the Constitution. It gives me the right to be a Christian, to speak freely of my beliefs and to denounce those who would disagree with me.
The constitution also gives American's the right to be any religion and to believe in any God they choose. We have a right to freedom of the press and to be informed of world events. We have a right to vote and to have our voice heard in the highest courts in the nation.
This separation allows us freedom and safety. Thank God we are not an Islamic country such as Sudan which bombs Christian relief organizations in their country. Not to mention the fact that they have killed over 2 million Christians in the name of Islam in the past few years.
In Saudi Arabia, it is against the law to build a Christian church, a Jewish synagogue (I hope I spelled it right) or any NON MUSLIM hose of worship. However, in America, there are thousands of Mosques and they are protected under our First Amendment.
In 1973, Mohammed Zahir Shah, the King of Afghanistan destroyed the one and only Christian church in the country.
So, Muslim's don't believe in separation of church and state because Allah is the guidence for everything they do. Ok, well Allah allows Muslims to mistreat women and children, to kill in the name of Islam and to denounce anyone who does not think like them.
American's have separation of church and state. It is a crime to beat or rape your wife, to beat your children, to bomb churches and to bomb hospitals who are providing Christian relief with American money to Muslims. Hmmmmmm....causes you to think doesn't it??????

According to historical sources, the seperation of churches from state,
was the result of the long struggle between the secular authorities
and the religious communities.


As far as Sudan is concerned, the Christian Relief Organization that was
bombed their doesnot mean that Islamic States support such actions.
Why would a State be behind a bombing of Christian Relief Organization
that was helping its own people? It was a political issue.

As far as Saudia Arabia is concerned, yes the construction of Churches and Synagouges is not allowed their not because of prejudism or any sort of hatred but because of the ruling of the Shariah .
Although the Western Media doesnot show you about the remaining 55 Islamic Countries including Egypt,Pakistan,Lebanon,Jordan and Palestine
which have so many churches and Christians are living their peacefully.
Iran the country which has been a target of US administration itself
has around more than 2000 Jews and many Christians and they have their synagouges and Churches in Iran. If one Country Saudia Arabia doesnot allow the construction of Synagouge or Church, doesnot mean that overall Islam prohibits their construction.

Let me give you an example, their are certain restricted areas(no go) areas where you are not allowed to go,why ? If they donot allow you to go their does it mean that they hate u? It doesnot sound logical.

Islam doesnot prohibit the construction of Churches and Synagogue and
it is the only Religion that understands the needs of the People of the Book(Christians and Jews).

Allah says in the Qur'an:
22:40 (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is Allah.. Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, CHURCHES, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).

With exception to Saudia Arabia,their is no restriction in Islam for the construction of Churches and Synagogues.

Hitler who was a Christian lead Nazis and killed millions of Jews in Germany,Should I say that "Thanks God I am not living in a Christian Country"?

I know I cannot hold Christian State responsible for the killing of innocent people without any reason just because of Hitler.

If Islam doesnot give right and respect to womens then why among the converts to Islam in the West, women have the highest numbers?

As far as bombing of Churches and hospitals is concerned, u mean to say that Islamic Countries allows bombing of Churches and hospitals,if this is true,
then why more than 50 mosques were bombed in Pakistan since 90s instead of Churches? Can you please answer this question?

No religion on the face of this earth allows any such actions that goes against the religious and civil rights of humanity.

As far as raping is concerned, so it is only US that considers raping as crime?
Other Countries consider raping as something wonderful.
As I already stated no religion or any country considers such an act as something wonderful,each and every individual knows that raping means to go against the will of a person,which is against humanity and anyone who goes against humanity also goes against Islam.

You said that "Thanks God We are not an Islamic State". and then on the other hand you try to claim that raping is considered as a crime in US.
If it is not considered as a crime in Saudia Arabia ,then how come in Saudia Arabia the ratio of rape is the lowest as compared to Western Countries?

If Saudia Arabia is such a bad country then why do many Americans including those working in Civil Aviation , Millitary and Oil Companies in Saudia Arabia donot wish to leave Saudia Arabia and why do their daughters and wives enjoy wearing a hijab on the streets of Saudia Arabia and claim to feel more comfortable in that dress inspite of knowing that it doesnot show their body and physical appearance? It is surprising to know that their are no dance clubs, theatres and such activities that allow mixing of opposite sexes but still these US citizens donot feel like leaving Saudia Arabia?
My dear, peace of heart and mind doesnot come from materalism and this kind of artifical entertainment like dancing ,singing and drinking alcohol.
If this was the case then people in West wouldnot have been having nervous breakdown in the West and wouldnot have committed sucide due to the economic pressure on them.

Living in the West and watching the news on different Western Channels about different countries and traveling around the world and seeing the reality with ones eyes are both greatly different.

Hello Fahad1,

Going back to your original premise, be it right or wrong...


Politics is compatible with religion because politics is about the art of persuation. If the majority is Christian, you play to the Christians. If the majority is Jewish, you play to the Jewish (vote). That's how you get elected in Western democracies. Listen to any speech at a fund-raiser by a politician. He or she plays to the crowd. It is the safe way. There are very few politicians who don't play it safe. Once you get elected, then maybe you can rock the boat a little, but not by much.

There are MANY Christian denominations that are negative toward scientific progress or are downright hostile. Just mention the word "evolution" and you can start a dog-fight in just about any corner of the United States. But the separation of Church and State has nothing to do with scientific progress. The founding fathers of the United States saw what corrupting influence and power the Church of England had and decided not to let it happen here. Besides, they were not all Anglican, anyway. So the easiest political answer was to not let the Church (of England) have any power at all. And to do that, you don't give it any government money (taxes).


BTW - If you are a woman running for political office and the Bible says to stay home and obey your husband. Just say BULL...T and you'll get a standing ovation and get swept into office. At least, here in the U.S. of A.


(:raig

Shariah, judging from your post, is formalized injustice, hate, bigotry and, most of all, fear.

Quite possibly because the rape victims are killed by their families.