Religion should not be mixed with politics

Inculcating-Instilling;

Proclaimed-Announced;

Afflictions-diseases/condition

Ostracize-Banish/excommunicate
Many people advocate the thought that religion should not be mixed with politics. But is that a
practical thing? Is it possible to keep religions and politics away from each other? There is no doubt
that religion and politics are two most important elements in peoples lives. And when they both
come together arguments are bound to happen. So what is your view on Religions should not be
mixed with Politics?
Yes
Politics and religions should not mix as politics need to reflect a common opinion and have to make
all decisions keeping in view the mutual benefit of all the people.
If you simply go by the laws in India which is a secular country then definitely as per it the two
things should not mix with each other.
If both the elements are mixed then people will become more biased towards their own religion.
Whenever politics and religions are mixed then the voting decisions of people have been affected.
Politics is about power and a religion is about faith. Faith can influence power but when power
influences faith it can become disaster. Faith always leads to principles and values.
No
Religion is all about following the right path and inculcating right values. If true religion is
followed then it can definitely result in fair politics.
Religion and politics have always crossed their paths since years. Sometimes it has resulted in good
results and sometimes in bad. But the fact is that they are inseparable.
Mixing religion and politics can open up the gates to break some old shackles that were not a part
of religion but society made it religion.
It will help many people to do and follow what their religion preaches. Someone who understands
and knows their values will make all efforts to respect it and save it.
Cow killing is not supported by politicians in India. Just because their religion doesnt approve it.
More..
The purpose of politics is to do welfare to people. Every politician who contests elections promises to
do welfare, whatever it may be. It is on the basis of such a promise that politicians are elected. The
purpose of religion, called dharma (ethics, morality, religious duty), is not different from that of
politics. Politics is called rajaniti, the code of conduct followed by a ruler or ruling class. Rajaniti is
always a part of dharma-Shastra such asManu-smriti or Yajnavalkya-smriti. Dharma-Shastra is the
books written by sages of India which delineate the duties of citizens according to various classes
(varnas), such as educators, rulers, etc. No description of dharma-Shastra is complete without

laying down the principles for the rulers. Dharma is meant to give ultimate welfare to society and
politics is but a part of it. Therefore, traditionally in India, dharma was never separated from politics.
The rulers of India, the kings, were followers of dharma. In their student life they were trained
in dharma. We do not find descriptions of atheistic kings in the history of India before it became a
republic state.
Avataras came as politicians
Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, who appeared as human beings, belonged to the ruling class and were
therefore politicians, although the main purpose of their descent on earth was to establish dharma. In
fact, Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita that He comes to establish dharma in every yuga. And
establishing dharma is not possible without taking charge of the kingdom, which means being
involved in politics. The whole battle of Mahabharata was fought to establish Yudhisthira, who was
known as Dharma-raja (the king of dharma), as the emperor of India.
Politicians are not trained in dharma
Thus dharma and politics go hand-in-hand. One of the major reasons that there is so much corruption
in politics at present is that politicians are not trained in dharma, especially in rajaniti, or the duties
of a politician. Politics without dharma is bound to breed corruption sooner or later because of
human afflictions like selfishness, greed and other impurities. In India some politicians have
contested elections from prison, and there are many who have criminal cases against them. To
avoid adharma in politics, there must be some basic requirement of character for a leader of society.
Similarly, without politics it is almost impossible for people to be dharmic. The role of religion is to
make one righteous and loving, and politics means caring for people and their welfare. When religion
and politics dont coexist, politicians are corrupt and religious leaders struggle to teach dharma to
society.
Need of the time
A religious person who is righteous and loving will definitely care for the welfare of the whole
population and hence become a true politician. True politicians can only be righteous and loving.
They cannot be anything but religious. The problem arises when religious leaders restrict the freedom
of people to follow their dharma. If such religious leaders gain political power, they ostracize
members of other religions. This should not happen. When leaders allow religion to become allencompassing with full freedom to pray and worship in any manner as long as it does not interfere
with others, it will bring righteousness and peace to people and will be suitable for any society. Then
there will be no cause to fear such leaders. Indeed, such leaders are the need of the time.
Today both religion and politics need a change. Religionists should be tolerant to allow freedom to
everyone to follow the religion of their choice. And politicians should be trained in the basic

principles of dharma. If leaders are righteous and spiritual, the whole society can flourish and be
uplifted.