The problem with "faith-based" politics

[hntnhole]

Faith-based politics depends on a general population willing to accept an "other-worldly" set of rules or guidelines upon which to not only order one's own life, but also the lives of others. 

That, in and of itself, requires a suspension of one's powers of thoughtful reflection, one's intellect, as well as one's ability to reason.  It rests solely on a persons inclination to suspend these individual powers, which all humanity posses, in favor of a version of ancient, yet often beautiful moral guidance.  In the tradition of Western Theology, that requirement is hinged on the life of Jesus over the last couple of millennia.  There have been moral Leaders throughout human history, in other parts of the world, with similar messages, and they also deserve to be honored.  

Consider actual history.  As the Romans began to advance to the North, they understood that their pantheon would not be accepted by those conquered tribes/peoples, and realized that Christianity could be a new, uniting contrivance, heavily redacted of course, and controlled by the Romans.  All kinds of miraculous events became attributed to that gentle man, which served to "prove" that their religion was the one, true religion.  I encourage anyone interested in this process to read the apocryphal texts - mainly the Book of Peter - which contains mostly the sayings of Jesus, but others are well worth the read.   

In May of 325 CE, the Roman Council of Nicaea took place, at Roman behest, which codified the "books of the New Testament" into an instrument of Roman conquest.  Thus, from the earliest days, the suspension of reason was required in the study of the sayings of that gentle man.  The rise of religious authoritarianism began (and the parallel requirement of suspension of reason), Rome became the center of the Catholic (from the Greek, meaning Universal) Institution began, and according to Roman (secular) rule.  The "magical" stories became "Romanized", and the conquest of the Northern European tribes took off.  I suppose it wasn't all that tough to sell, since many of the conquered already believed in magical beings - and have since humanity developed the ability to reason.  Something had to be honored for a victory, or blamed for a defeat.

We all know (or should) the history after that process of Romanizing the Western world, which required the suspension of reason in favor of magical carryings on of innumerable deities.  Sure, there were those who argued against this process through the ages, and they were repressed when encountered.  When the Roman Christian Church went too far, a thousand years later, we wind up with the Reformation, which ditched Roman rule, but retained a lot of the magical stories, events, etc, which had served Rome so well.  It was at least something to rebel against Rome peddling indulgences to forgive sins for a few coins more.  Gradually, less structured belief-systems developed, all dependent on the suspension of reason, in favor of adhering to beliefs and practices promulgated by a "Roman-lite" institution.  The Liturgical churches of today reside comfortably within that historical construct.  

Gradually, even these new Liturgical belief-systems - while discarding the most egregious of the Roman traditions - thus fostering the so-called Evangelical Movement - which has developed into what we what we see today.  The problem is, there is simply no "anchor" of intellectual work involved in these Evangelical constructs - there is merely the emotional quotient left.  There is no respect for any other belief-system, since only they can discern what the Deity desires.  They fervently believe that they simply know without an scintilla of doubt, what the Deity wants.  It's an easy "out' for them; all they have to do is listen to whatever they're told, practice it, and presto: Heaven awaits them.  

Thus, we find ourselves in a dilemma: We say we honor education (sometimes), and disregard it with the next breath.  Some of us have inherited the concept of "I know, and you don't", so you don't count, and I do.  Reason is abandoned. Respect for other viewpoints dissolves before our very eyes.  Our powers of reason wind up in the trash can, in favor of forcing certain beliefs on everyone else.  Consider the issue of medical treatment of women.  How, in Whatever's name, can one group of people (oh - Evangelicals, for instance) simply believe they can force their religious beliefs onto everyone else?  If someone believes abortion is wrong, ok -  then don't get one.  Leave others to make their own decisions.  Have we devolved into a country of gangs, each the enemy of the others?  Does reason not mean anything anymore?  

Evangelicals:  I say let everyone believe what they believe, so long as they don't attempt to force their magic onto others just, as you apply your magical beliefs to yourselves.  Evangelicalism has become a millstone around some folks necks, and that's ok with me if it's ok with them.  Keep your beliefs to yourselves, and allow the courtesy of others to believe as they perceive.  When it comes to secular issues, keep the magic to yourselves.  This is a nation of religious freedom - extending to freedom from religion.  Allow reason to exist.  Allow our neighbors to live their lives, as you are allowed to live yours.  Belief-systems are not a matter for Government, they're a matter of private reflection.