Does religion have too much influence within the U.S. government?

Topic:
U.S. Political Debates

19 Contributors
in this discussion.

Yes
58% of users

  • Yes, religion has too much influence in our government today, as is evident by politicians expressing their religious views so frequently.

    The separation of church and state is a basic foundational concept, which, basically, guarantees the right to worship with freedom. This is a constitutional right, was written with wisdom, and should be considered carefully. If religious influence takes hold in government, freedom erodes. A citizen could potentially be told who or what is right in religion, and beyond.

    Yes MoaningGaston86

  • Yes, because religion and politics should not mix at all, yet they are obviously being mixed.

    Combining religion with politics is as dangerous as drinking and driving. Everyone is free to believe what they want, but if religious groups show heavy influence to certain political parties, they are overstepping their boundaries as a group or organization. Still, as a nation, we are free to think for ourselves. So, do not mix the business of running the country with religious affiliation. People are such followers, they can easily miss the real issues if they only side with that of the church's platform.

    Yes MoaningElroy

  • Yes, it has way to much influence in our government.

    Look at japan, its almost an entire atheist country and there economy is booming, except for the fact of the earthquake and tsunami, and there soposed to bounce back and have an even greater economy then bofore. so "God" has nothing to do with our government, nor is he even real.

    Yes Anonymous

  • Yes, the U.S. is supposed to have separation of church and state, and there are too many laws with religious foundations.

    The U.S. government should not be influenced by religious groups. There have been too many discriminatory laws based on religious ideas. Forbidding mixed race couples to marry, forbidding women to vote, allowing states to make laws that exclude blacks from voting, not allowing gay couples to marry and outlawing abortion are all past and present laws with bases in religion. Laws should be based on fairness and reason, not religion and superstition.

    Yes N Schroeder 60

  • Yes, religion has too much of an influence within the U.S. government.

    At the point the constitution was instated, yes, religion was a necessity. However, not as many people have as strong of religious beliefs at this point. I don't think its important for there to be as much religious interaction.

    Yes LorenaH

  • While we are supposed to be secular, there are often political battles and discussion involving religion.

    Even our money and our pledge of allegiance mention God, and in court, individuals are asked to swear on the Bible. It does not make sense that these things should still exist in a secular government.

    Yes jabbejoyce

  • Religion has a large influence within the U.S. government.

    The United States is largely a Christian country, and Christian values are considered when determining laws. We know it is the right thing to separate Church and State, but it is really hard. For example, the hot issue of gay marriage is that opponents believe that gay marriage is against God's teaching. Also, the issue of abortion and that Catholics believe that the fetus is alive. Religion allows issues to become more complicated.

    Yes M4xFace

  • There are too many public, government-funded institutions that are allowing religion to interfere with their function.

    The public school in Mississippi that denied a lesbian student the chance to take her date to the prom, or a school function in another city that promoted segregation, or hospitals and pharmacies deciding not to prescribe emergency contraception - these are instances where government-funded institutions are not providing proper care due to the needless, smothering influence of religion. And, it pains me to think that the same ignorance comes from people who disparage other, overtly religion-led nations, such as non-secular Muslim countries in the Middle-East. Separation of church and state exists for a reason, and personal beliefs should not be affecting the care or service that every taxpayer or their depends should receive, regardless of their race, religion or sexuality.

    Yes R053Neddy

  • Religion has a growing influence in the U.S. Government that is distracting lawmakers.

    Religion has a growing influence in the U.S. Government that is distracting lawmakers. For example, in the recent health care debate, Obama had to sign an executive order that federal funds would not be used for abortion so that this important legislation could be passed even though he personally has no objection to abortion. This is evidence that religion and religious conservatives are using religion to drive their agenda to the detriment of the country.

    Yes NatBIab

  • The American people are a religious people, and this one of the tragedies of its history, culminating with the 2000 presidential election.

    All three branches of government are tainted by religion. In the judicial branch, there is the example of Antonin Scalia, whose conservative positions at the Supreme Court are partially derived from the particular brand of Roman Catholicism which he grew up with. In judicial debates, the particular argument against equalizing marital rights by extending them to gays, namely the "between a man and a woman" argument derives support much less from natural law tradition and more from interpretations from the Bible, which is no more than a collection of religious texts, and from tradition canonized by various means in religious sects (such as the R.C.C.). In Congress, there is a constant stream coming out against the First Amendment, by which I mean representatives and senators who believe violation of the church and state clause is justified. This belief comes from the religious movements who oppose it. As for the executive branch, whatever religions influence had to do with President George W. Bush, it was far too great. The consequences were a misguided, destructive foreign policy and a mangled treasury at home.

    Yes 53xyMyIo

  • Even though the Constitution is clear on the separation on Church and State, in this "Christian" nation religious espousal is often used to manipulate voters.

    While the Constitution is clearly for separating Church and State, it is impossible to separate politicians from espousing views that gain them votes. And in this predominantly Christian nation, that means catering to this majority. It would be better if facts and science had a greater influence on decision making--especially at the highest levels of government.

    Yes Th4Fire
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No
42% of users

  • I have not seen any evidence of this.

    People in the government may be swayed one way or another by what they believe religiously, but I do not think that the government is allowing people of certain faiths to control what we do. If this was the case, then we would not have wars, because the Bible states thou shall not kill.

    No 5c0tJung

  • I do not think that religion has nearly enough influence in government, because religion is a major part of the lives Americans, and it should be honored.

    I think that a lot more religion can and should have much more of an influence than it does now in government. I think that there should be much less emphasis on getting God out of government and school, and much more emphasis on things that really matter, like education and the economy. So much time and effort is wasted on trying to get religion out, and that time and money could be so useful elsewhere.

    No UnsuitableRigoberto99

  • The question is far too broad to address the issue of religion influencing federal politics.

    The debate topic draws no distinction between religion influencing political debate and religion informing individuals' political opinions. There has been a long history of religion influencing politicians in extremely positive ways; for instance many abolitionists in the 18th century were motivated by their religious convictions. Martin Luther King, Jr. was profoundly influenced his religious convictions which ultimately helped lead to important reforms in American society.

    No BewilderedChristoper63

  • That's why the America was the most powerful in the world before.

    If you check and read the speeches of the first presidents like Thomas Jefferson, or Abraham Lincoln, or any other President, they always thanked God for everything and you can tell that they really relied on God. That's why China is getting stronger because people are being witnessed( by the Word of God) by missionaries and they worship secretly underground even though they're not allowed. Even in schools before, they were allowed to pray and read their Bibles. But now, no more. It really is depressing that people are carelessly voting for the wrong people to run the government. That's why America's economy is going down. If government officials work by trusting God, this country will go on the right way because in God, nothing is impossible and He has a plan for this country as long as we listen to Him..

    No Anonymous

  • I am strongly for religion in government, as this country was founded under religion, and now it is nowhere to be found.

    When the U.S. government was formed, it was one nation under God. Now God is nowhere to be seen in the government, and it has started to fail. If religion was put back into the moral fiber of our country, it would still stand strong. If religion is omitted, there is no consequences, and the government has no moral fiber to stand on, thus giving the public no faith in their abilities to successfully run our country.

    No R3yn4FerIi

  • Religion does not have too much influence within the U.S. government because I believe they work with a secular mindset.

    I don't think key players in the government make their decisions with religion as their primary purpose. It would be risky for them as elected officials and politicians to do so. They understand we operate under separation of Church and State here in the USA. While they may openly attend church, they would not want to be branded as a religious zealot.

    No tabundes

  • There is not too much religion in government.

    There is a certain amount of religious influence on the government, but not too much. Our constitution is based on Judeo-Christian values, but most of those values are common in all religions. Sometimes government gets a little too deep in religion, such as the prohibition era and the current prohibition on marijuana and prostitution. Some religious influence in government is alright, as long as it doesn't support one religion over another. Currently, I think we have just the right amount of religious influence.

    No jaayfarley

  • Religion doesn't have enough influence within the government of any nation.

    Religion is a valuable asset in that it provides people a direction to their actions which is designed and determined to make people better than they are. It isn't that taking religion out of the picture makes people evil, but rather that the lack of religion tends towards a pointless existence. When we have no sense of purpose, which religion brings to us, then we don't really know what to do from one situation to the next. When we allow religion to influence our government, we allow the values that most of us place stock in to influence our lives in general.

    No MariaR
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