I remember the first time I declared myself to be an atheist. I was in fourth grade, and I was being raised in a Unitarian Universalist Society, where such free thought was encouraged. This was long before I had any conception of liberalism vs. conservatism, right vs. left, or Democrats vs. Republicans. Most of my fourth grade friends also had no notion of politics, yet almost all of them could recite that they were Catholic, Christian, or Jewish. Their religions had been a part of them since the day they were born. For about 56% of them, their religion will stay with them for life.
The question of whether one’s religion should influence his politics has never really interested me. If he is truly religious, I don’t see how it possibly could not. Political opinions are inherently formed based on a personal value system. Even if one’s opinions are driven by the motivation to do what’s best for everyone, it is impossible to define “best” without establishing a moral basis. For many, this ethical foundation is derived from, or at least in concert with their choice of religion.
However, the question of whether one’s religion should dictate his politics is entirely separate. I think the answer to this question is an unequivocal no. The difference lies in the definition of one’s underlying, core beliefs. If your core beliefs are derived from a sense of morality, however you choose to define it, then you might join the religion that embodies these values, and then vote for the politicians that do that same. In contrast, if one’s core beliefs are derived from the exact phrasing of a book that he did not write, or the tone of a leader who he follows unquestioningly, then in my eyes, that person is a religious fanatic. Such fanatics abandon rationality and cannot be expected to meaningfully contribute to politics.
To those who have browsed the aggressive atheist culture that pervades the Internet, my acceptance of the influence of religion in politics might surprise you. Further, if I understand religion to be the embodiment of moral ideals for many, why would I not subscribe to one myself? The answer is that ever since I declared myself to be an atheist in fourth grade, I have never felt the need for religion. I construct my own ethical framework using logic and philosophy, and I try to revise it everyday. I make moral decisions based on this evolving foundation, and I make political decisions in exactly the same way.
I’d like to leave you with a relevant song by my favorite band:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?