God and Politics

I wouldn't want to go into those lengthy discussion stuff on religion followed by politics and then rounding it off by an equally boring (but it doesn't bore into one's head) conclusion, FYI.

But honestly religion(not God) is taking an active role in politics these days, that's what I have observed. In those olden golden days, people were inspired by religious philosophies. They parceled those higher thoughts into whichever political party they formed or were part of (except for of course the communists who were/are outwardly atheist and inwardly confused). But today, religion, which consists of philosophies, doctrines, traditions, dogmas and all those factors that outwardly try in vain to perfect man, has taken the high pedestal in politics.

Here, let me make it clear that I am not an atheist but a believer. According to me, man cannot exist without having the knowledge of God (be it in the form of a denial or an acceptance). I am a christian myself. But it is not a religion for me in the sense that I do not have to follow certain patterns, traditions, even use meaningless jargon forcefully to appear 'religious' while the real me does what pleases to get myself forward in life. If that was the requirement, then its no longer a liberating system but a stifling one where man is bound forever in the cycle of trying to be good and then getting caught in his own follies. Real faith should liberate man from this endless cycle, so he can rise higher to help others. This, I have found that in Christ.
It is true that faith helps man to rise higher but religion pulls him down. Society can never be separated from religious philosophies but when man uses it on the ignorant for his own glory, there is danger.

Be it in India (on the road to development) or US of A (that boasts of having achieved it) I see the same picture - religion does have a hold on the polity.
Be it the Hindutva or the Jehad in our nation, the governance is often(now read always) hindered on its way to progress by the fundamentalists. In the name of God, the political parties affiliated to/remote-controlled by religious organisations often play with the sentiments of their fellow brothers, either making them feel guilty for not participating in destructive activities or feel elated being part of some holy calling as they go about extinguishing lives and damaging properties. Or it could be those promises to restore age-old customs or worship places which could spell out pride for those 'servants' of the public (That was the meaning of ministers once) who are so passionate on preserving (read pickling, which takes away the original and replaces it with nothing but the shrivelled remains) our 'culture'. Or it could be the drive to expel the 'traitors', the outsiders, who till yesterday were our compatriots and had equally contributed for the growth of our nation, sharing in our pains and sorrows.
Elsewhere (you know where), people use religion to pool the votes of the pious. But as the election date draws nearer and campaign heats up, they have no qualms in using the meanest, lowest tactics to win the election. The very words of the God whom they profess to believe are forgotten as they lie about and slander their opponent, defraud, cheat fellow citizens, conspire, rig elections to pave their way to victory.

God never was or is interested in politics but He is always interested in history :)