Church And Politics

[vidcc]

The pope has made his point to the spanish prime minister that he wants the country to follow a catholic doctrine. Now where i agree that religion to believers is important i don't believe that it should interfere with political systems.
We often see criticism of middle eastern "clerics as leaders" from the west yet in many western countries it would be unthinkable for a non believer to be voted into office.
I respect religious beliefs and people should be free to follow those beliefs without interference from the state, but the same should go in reverse...the state should be free to govern without interference from religion.

Pope denounces Madrid's liberal sex reforms
By Robin Gedye, Foreign Affairs Writer



The Pope denounced Spain's new liberal agenda yesterday, demanding that the Madrid government respect the religious and cultural traditions of the country's Roman Catholic heritage.

He delivered the dressing-down in an audience at the Vatican with Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the new socialist prime minister.

 
The pope gestures as he talks with Mr Zapatero at the Vatican 
Mr Zapatero, who has pledged to legalise same-sex marriages, relax abortion laws and institute fast track divorce, was told it was the duty of Spain to "conserve moral and cultural values, as well as its Christian roots".

In their 15-minute private meeting, the Pope also said he hoped that the Spanish government would "give due attention to ethical values that are so rooted in the religious and cultural tradition of the population".

The new Spanish leader gave no sign of backing down on his package of radical reforms.

Mr Zapatero, who had travelled to Rome specifically to see the Pope, said afterwards the talks had been "cordial" and an "open relationship" would be maintained.

"We are going there with the will to listen but the Vatican must realise there is a new government and that this new government has positions," said Miguel Angel Moratinos, the Spanish foreign minister.

"Of course, we respect the Catholic Church but we are also very firm on questions that the majority of Spaniards want to see changed."

Vatican sources said the Pope made clear his displeasure with Mr Zapatero's intention to turn Spain into the first predominantly Roman Catholic country to relax laws on same-sex marriages, divorce and abortion.

Both Mr Zapatero and Mr Moratinos made clear that they would not follow the previous conservative administration's policy on adhering to the Vatican's codes on sex and marriage.

Mr Zapatero's reforms include developing embryonic stem cell research and freezing an education bill that favoured Catholic religious teaching in schools.

16 June 2004: Inquisition wasn't quite as bad as people think, says Pope


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[Biggles]

Theocracy of any flavour is a nightmare.


If individuals who happen to be politicians are motivated to be honest and good because of religious convictions this can only be good.

If individuals use their position of political power to ram their religious convictions down others throats then this can only be bad - and in the longer term, bad for whichever faith is being forced down the gullets of the unwilling populace.

[Rat Faced]

I wholeheartedly agree.

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by Rat Faced@22 June 2004 - 23:35
I wholeheartedly agree.

As do I, on the assumption that your agreement is with Big Les.

I believe we have now covered both ends of the religious spectrum.

Let the Grey People now debate the minutiae

[Smith]

not at all.

in the us and canada they are having elections and some candidated want to ban abortions based on the churches teachings.

its all fine and good that bush is a hick that believes in god, but its not like everyone does. why should women of other religions or that dont have relogions have to obey a law based on religious teachings.?

[Smith]

wow that shut everyone up quick

my bad

[Donnie Darko]

One simple word..."NO"

[Smith]

ur still forgetting the point. i know if someone bases his campaign on religion he wont win. cause half or more than half of north america dosnt even go to church. why would i vote for him if i dont believe in god, and he bases his arguments on things said by god.

[Skweeky]

But how exactly do you want to keep them apart?

Surely politics has a lot to do with ethics and for so many people that goes hand in hand with religion.

[Rat Faced]

Poll added as requested.

I was asked for 2 yes votes and 2 no votes...probably to reflect strength of feeling.



Hell NO!


If there is religious freedom as there should be, then no Religion should dictate anything to do with Governing a country.

A Government should be there to look after ALL its people, irrespective of their spiritual beliefs.

Likewise a Church is there for all its "Believers", irrespective of their politics.


They are two distictly different entities...

A Government will be influenced by its Countries Culture as a matter of course, and Religion by its very nature influences Culture:-

Let that "Indirect" influence be enough; if a Religion isnt influential enough to affect the population, it shouldnt have any influence in the Government of that population.



If you believe different to this, then you really have No Argument if you believe any country should be "civilised" when the clerics of a particular Religion are in charge and the citizens are stoned, beheaded or whatever religious belief (such as Female Circumsicion etc) is practiced in that country.

Afterall they are merely doing the same as yourself, allowing Religion into Government and politics..... they merely have differing beliefs.

@ Skweeky:

"Ethics" and "Morals" are not universal.

What is Moral to you is Immoral elsewhere and the reverse is also True.

They depend upon a Culture (including Religious Influences) to give them meaning.

This fact alone, should keep Religion and Politics seperate.


Paul