politics and religion

[Ted]

It is not the religious faith that causes the problems noted above. It is extremism. We have it today in Christianity: those who shoot abortion doctors, the likes of Phelps who creates a site "God hates fags', those who picket at the funerals of young gay men. An American president that uses his faith as a reason to invade other countries. We have the ultra right wing in the states that promotes the death penalty.

Extremists exist in all faiths around the world. They are problem not their faith.

Shalom
Ted

[koan]

It is true that the extremist attitude is the problem not the faith but it is also true that the extremists use faith to gain support from the masses and then abuse the trust given to them. It gives religion a "bad name" undeservedly but the problem still exists. Politicians continue to us religion to gain votes and support.

[Ted]

koan

I can't help but think of the commandment that we are not to take the name of God in vain. Seems to fit.

Shalom
Ted

[koan]

So while they are busy breaking the commandment do we sit by and wait for them to find out God's not happy about it? I don't believe that I can decide better than God what is just but I don't think I need to sit back and be blind. If the politicians and their deceit did not affect anyone then let it be but, as it is, the deceit continues to result in death.

It is not a question of whether the politicians should have a faith, it is a question whether or not that faith should enter into their laws and policies. Freedom of religion seems to dictate that religion can not be considered in deciding what is moral or not. Common sense would do just fine.

[Ted]

koan

We can have very religious politicians but they ought not to allow their faith to dictate how they run or rule the country expecially if, like Canada, it is a multicultural country. There has to be a balance that takes all faiths into consideration.

Shalom
Ted

[capt_buzzard]

I believe in GOD. And that's about it.

[LoveMama]

Originally Posted by Ted

It is not the religious faith that causes the problems noted above. It is extremism. We have it today in Christianity: those who shoot abortion doctors, the likes of Phelps who creates a site "God hates fags', those who picket at the funerals of young gay men. An American president that uses his faith as a reason to invade other countries. We have the ultra right wing in the states that promotes the death penalty.

Extremists exist in all faiths around the world. They are problem not their faith.

Shalom
Ted

Ted, extemist's and 'money changers' exist all over the world and and in every faith. You are absolutely right. The problem is NOT their faith.

My youngest son was a Christian recording artist for for Myrrh and WORD labels. They are the two biggest Christian Music labels in the U.S. His band later moved to a non-secular label and mainly because he found so many Chistian hypocrites among them. One concert in the deep South he was asked why he didn't have prayers before his band began to play. His answer was that he was there to play music and not there to sell Jesus........then said 'Jesus is not for sale, He's free. If you don't like the music then leave"!
It was all about money! Other Christian band that were there had girl's in the back's of their busses! It was nuts!

We are Chrstian's and I am sad to say there are many hypocrites among those who call themselves Christians and also sure this is true of any religion.

Suresh Gupta

I just wanted to say that I have alway's wanted to see and know India.
I have alway's loved the Indian people and for year's have cooked Indian foods.

My father in the early thirties in Los Angeles, California was very involved with the Hindu movement there during that time period. He met both Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda and Mazumdar and through these contacts learned to cook Indian foods.

Having had a very early intested in cooking, my father taught me how to make those wonderful Indian curries and breads. I learned about spices......how they differered from the North of India to the South of India. I treasure so much what my father passed on to me and today I make many Indian dishes.

So nice to meet you Suresh Gupta.I'm new here but have many friends that have joined this forum. If you would be so kind.......would you post you FAVORITE Indian dish in the recipe thread that GABS has started. Everone there would be thrilled!

xxxxxxxxxxxooo
mama

[Suresh Gupta]

Originally Posted by Ted

koan We can have very religious politicians but they ought not to allow their faith to dictate how they run or rule the country expecially if, like Canada, it is a multicultural country. There has to be a balance that takes all faiths into consideration.
Shalom
Ted

Politicians also come from the same society we have come from. They use politics to gain the right of governance. After they are given this right by the people they should keep politics aside and only govern with all their sincerity and honesty.

Religion should never be exploited for governance. Religious teachings should however be used as guiding principles for a better governance.

[Suresh Gupta]

Originally Posted by LoveMama

Suresh Gupta
.......would you post you FAVORITE Indian dish in the recipe thread that GABS has started. Everone there would be thrilled!
mama

Thanks for your message. You see I specialize in eating not cooking. I will find out few good Indian dishes and post their details in the forum you have pointed out.

[greydeadhead]

An interesting thread and discussion.. I totally agree with you Suresh, religion shouldn't be exploited by politicians, but, if you use religion to guide political decisions, isn't that leaning toward a theocratic form of government, thus opening itself to extremism or fundamentalism interpretation, a scary aspect no matter the religion..?? BTW.. when I was tending bar, these were two topics I forbid discussion on... add alcoholic beverages to the mix and the results could be explosive to say the least.....