In today’s modern times the separation of religion and state is widely practiced and is dictated in most democratic constitutions. However, if we look back into the ancient history of the world, one will note that religion and politics were practiced simultaneously by church leaders and the political powers of the time. Thereby signifying that church and politics will always be interrelated. After all, Jesus Christ was condemned to death because he spoke out against the political leaders of the time in connection with his preaching of salvation and equality amongst men. It was during this time in history that religion became an effective tool for social change. Preachers of the era tried to enact changes in society based upon their religious preachings and beliefs. Pharoah’s and kings had religious advisers whose main job was to explain the social repercussions of their actions. To this very day, all politicians have a “spiritual adviser”. However, spiritual advisement no longer carries the same weight as it used to do and does not serve to enact any major social changes in today’s politics. Sometimes, as in the case of Sen Baraack Obama, religion can even cause irreparable damage to politics and politicians.
Since the two have been closely related throughout time, it should only seem logical that they are practiced simultaneously by the state right? In my opinion, the answer to that question is no. Call me a Gnostic but I believe that the two cannot be implemented at the same time without anarchy breaking loose because religion and politics have 2 very different foundations. Religion is based upon a spiritual belief which sometimes seems too fictitious already to practice in real life. While politics is based upon reality and is meant to deal with matters about society in a straightforward situation. However, some believe that politics without religion is a misguided attempt to guide a country’s citizens towards the right path. That may be true but, in my personal opinion, religion and its supporting beliefs belong to the private choices of an individual and has nothing to do with politics. After all, all the problems in today’s international political arena stem from the varying religious beliefs of people. Religion in politics only brings chaos. Just look at the Tibetans, the Kurds, The Shi’ites, the Taliban… what do they all have in common? War, social problems, and political strife. These international problems have led me to believe that politics and religion can be separate if only we all choose to treat the two in that manner. We are first and foremost human beings, regardless of religious beliefs. Religion does not matter to the unity of a nation as much as political unity and stability. Politics can be discussed by people of different religions and come out agreeing about something. In a religious debate mixed with the want for political reforms, however, nobody wins.
The job of politicians is to bring about social change. The reason that they can do this is that they are in touch with and know the pulse of the masses. Social change is brought about by the political leaders who know what it is like to be on the other side of the tracks. Although most of them choose to only pay lip service to their constituents, there are those who enact changes in policies and social situations because they rule using this simple credo: ” Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
The members of the media are the strongest force for social change. These journalists are constantly exposed to the trials and hardships of daily life for the simple man. They know what the problems are and they, of all people, know what changes are needed, are necessary, and they have access to the politicians who can make the changes happen. By bringing the stories to the forefront of the political arena, politicians find out what segments of social problems they fall short of action upon and what possible solutions can be developed to ease the situation.