Can Religion and Politics Be Separated?

I’m someone who cares passionately about Hinduism and my spiritual life. It’s a thread behind every thought, decision, and moment of my life. At the same time, I detest politics. I don’t like the maneuvering and the manipulation and the trying to “win” against other people’s interests. Yet, when people talk religion, politics is almost always at the heart of the discussion.

Here I am writing my little spiritual diary and I am frequently asked to comment on issues of politics and world events. And I feel like I’m not qualified to address these at all. I don’t understand politics. I just want everyone to love one another and be kind to each other.

For example, Patheos included Hinduism in their round table discussions and the question was…How do you think Modi’s election will effect Hindus in America? Um…I have no idea. I can’t speak on that subject! (Lots of great people did, though, check out their responses here).

I feel qualified to talk about the spiritual journey but not about politics. Is that accurate, though? Is there a difference between these two things?

I’m not even talking here about the separation of religion and government (which I happen to think is extremely important), but on a personal level can religion and politics be separated?

To me, Hinduism is eternal and larger than all the fights, all the debates, whatever anyone tries to throw at it. It is an immovable fact.

But maybe I’m wrong and Hinduism is tied to the workings of the world, effected by what people say about it and who is in control of how many people at each moment. I feel like it’s my job to talk about my personal spiritual journey but is it also my job to understand and express how that journey fits into the larger fabric of the world?