Religion and Politics

What is it about religion and politics? Why do we feel compelled to marry the two? I see other faith traditions become mired in it and occasionally see other Pagans dig hip deep into it, not merely as people but as Pagans. I confess I have a hard time understanding this.

For me, if it wasn’t for politicians cropping up who feel a need to attack my faith, I don’t think I’d ever mix the two. Certainly my faith informs my values and my values inform my political opinion but that goes for every human being. Even atheists have the same flow although their faith is pure reason and science. There’s a difference though, between  your political values being informed by your faith and expressing your faith through politics.

I can’t think of anything worse than having a Pagan government or a Democratic coven. I have no desire to mix things up. My Gods demand authenticity from me, not active membership in a political party. Nothing pleases me more than when the priest declaims “Here now the words of the Great Goddess” the priestess does NOT stump for a political candidate.

I’m not saying I’m not a political person. I have issues I feel very strongly about and I try to follow the main stories in the news. I just don’t want to be a “Political Pagan” unless I have to, and then I feel a little dirty the next time I pray. My faith is too precious to me to be used for politics.

Today, I will go out to vote. I already know who I’m voting for and which way I lean on each of the bills on the ballot. Yet, I’m not walking in there to deliver the “Pagan Vote”.  I’m not even going to cast my votes towards some ivory tower idealism. I’m just going to vote for the issues as my conscience and experience dictates, and vote for candidates not based on faith but on which of the awesomely horrible human beings will best be able to direct this huge ship in the right general direction. I’m voting as a human, as a citizen. I think that’s as it should be.