I may be thrown out in the lobby for this, but politics is a religion...

[backtoblue]

I think politics is a religion entirely of its own. We put "faith" in select individuals to lead us to some sort of utopian promised land and expect them to enforce our "beliefs" upon others.

We all have a personal agenda which is near and dear to our heart and causes strong emotional desires and reaction. So along comes a sly orator who pretends to listen, shakes our hand, and vows to avenge or revenge our agenda. As if they are some sort of prophet or deity that can make our dreams come true, promises are made and allegiances are formed.

"Offerings" of monetary contributions are given to these people so that they can go off and represent our agenda and pledges are made in return to remain followers of the "representative" and his/her political party. In order for the "representative" to remain in such a powerful position, he/she makes promises to another's agenda and low and behold - the "representative" becomes an advocate for a completely new cause because the "offering" was higher.

It's almost like a pagan/mythological system of gods. The more money we send up to the gods (wall street, politicians, elite families), the more attention our "beliefs" may get.

Politics, by way of capitalism is what will lead to a new religion, a new order to which our necessities are to be met. What will be our "sacrifice" once the monetary system is abolished? Will it be like a check-mate and we wake to realize that we truly are owned by a higher being, Greed?

[knowbody0]

1. that;s why I garden

it's the only real thing

[backtoblue]

5. relying on oneself

is a virtue. Witnessing the miracles of life through nature is what's real, isn't it? N/T

[zeemike]

8. Well said n/t

[izquierdista]

2. It's more like faith vs. skepticism

Or has been said before, "facts (i.e., science) have a liberal bias".

[Warpy]

3. Exactly, I have no faith in any political leader

especially since I've met quite a few of them and realize what type of person gravitates to the job.

[backtoblue]

12. I think that's where the fear factor comes into play

When people feel threatened by something "foreign" and scary, they look to their leaders to keep them safe.

[Warpy]

18. That explains Stupid's 90% approval after 9/11

but it doesn't explain the 10% of us who still knew he was an asshole and his denigration of all antiterrorist policies in place for the previous 8 years had allowed 9/11 to happen.

Face it, nothing will be a religion to at least 10% of us.

[backtoblue]

21. Here's to us lonely 10%!!

:toast: I pledge to not be intimidated into subordination or organized terrorizing!!!

[backtoblue]

4. faith and skepticism both lead to confusion and blurred intents.

The only thing that we can completely "put our money on" is our form of government, our politics. When we argue our points in a political manner, we inherently believe that there is a political "savior" who will make the world a better place (according to each's own theory of "better")

[unpossibles]

16. as someone who is irreligious I don't completely agree

Perhaps for some, but I see no need for a political savior any more than I see a need for a deity.

What we need is not a savior (which label, if I may, reeks of the things that Rush says about Obama...) but a more aware and active population. In short, WE are the government, or should be. To rely on a savior is simplistic and a bad idea, because you'll just be disappointed on some level.

Also, while religion and politics share some aspects as you point out, there are many differences too. You cannot vote out the pope or god, nor does religion have the capacity to evolve as quickly because it is seen as being handed down in perfect form from on high.

[backtoblue]

19. You're right that we don't need a "savior"

But our political establishment is setting the stage for a manifestation of that need. People, in general are easily scared when it comes to things like war, genocide, famine, etc. Political parties feed off of those insecurities and put themselves in a position to "lead" us back to peace. It is a deception. It will be inevitable that when people are scared or suffering, they look for a "savior". n/t

[izquierdista]

26. I would have to disagree about skepticism

Perhaps you include failure to acknowledge reality in with skepticism, but true skepticism, asking for evidence before taking an assertion to be true, can hardly lead to confusion. Skepticism cuts through confusion by asking for what can be demonstrably proven.

[backtoblue]

27. failure to acknowledge reality, or diversion from the truth

Skepticism leads to confusion when people who are already conditioned to believe a certain way by their family/society/religion begin to second-guess what they have been taught. They become skeptical about their own beliefs and, therefore, become confused as to their own "meaning" and the "law and order" of the world.

People tend to search for meaning, reality if you will, when their beliefs are questioned from within. Skepticism causes confusion until new meanings and answers become clearer.

Other instances, such as being skeptical of something you weren't completely sure of anyways, can lead one into clarity by way of research and evidence. I guess the cause/effect of the skepticism/confusion can be true of both. n/t

[JDPriestly]

6. Some early societies were governed by a caste of priests. You

are definitely on to something. But, then, religion and political systems are the ways people organize their societies. I suppose an alternative (horrible alternative in my opinion) is to have a sort of military caste dictate the way a society will be organized. Franco's Spain comes to mind. I don't worship any leader. I want to live in a society that works for the best good for the most people. Just how to achieve my goal? I'm not sure. Work together. Take responsibility. Help the needy. Limit greed. Insure honesty by requiring full disclosure in certain dealings. Give people as much personal freedom as is possible.

[backtoblue]

10. I honestly don't think we have an alternative

Before too long I can imagine a Worldwide Counsel that has representatives from all organized religions in order to keep peace. The horrifying thing about that would be the ultimate power that counsel (for lack of better word) would have over the world.

[immoderate]

7. It's the other way around.

Politics exists for all gregarious species. Religion is an abstraction of that.

--imm

[stillcool]

9. I think religion is politics..

Apparently one of the most useful tools any government has at it's disposal.

[backtoblue]

11. Interchangeability

is what makes both so powerful.

[jazzjunkysue]

20. Most religion is politics. Any time there's an us and a them, it's politics.

Any time "we" are right and "they" are confused, it's politics.

[TreasonousBastard]

13. The same mechanisms are in play for both..

social and economic order, individual and group safety and preservation, planning for the future, explaining the unexplainable...

Since we became a sentient species we've experimented with every religious and political theory imaginable, and nothing but technology has changed much since the ancient Greeks started writng it all down. Plato (actually Socrates) had it right-- every political system sucks, and the one you have right now sucks the most because it's going downhill from day one.

Since decent philospher kings are hard to come by, and nothing stops them from changing once they get the power, I would propose an elected dictator-- elected for a fixed term, with extensions allowed by popular vote. While in office, this dictator would have absolute power-- no cavilling to Congress or special interests, and would be held to his campaign promises. Congresses, Parliaments, and the like would be petitioners on behalf of their constituents, but have little power other than advising the dictator.

But, I digress...

We do live our lives in faith-- faith that other drivers will not decide to go the wrong way on highways, faith that food will nourish and not kill us, faith that the guy flying our airplane isn't drunk... Not that we're always right about these things, but faith in God, faith in politicians, faith in out next door neighbors, our parents, our spouses... we are always living in faith of some sort, whether we admit it or not.

[Tigermoose]

14. Interesting...thank you for this.

I like to think about this sort of thing.

Perhaps it is Nationalism that is the new form of Religion? Politics exists within religion, just as politics exists within Nationalism.

[backtoblue]

15. In order to make large masses subordinate,

You would have to "create" an allegiance so important that the people involved would risk dying over. Patriotism, nationalism, religion, and politics are all reasons for war. War makes people scared and in order to prevent wars and death, people will be willing to give up their personal rights - give in to a higher, authoritative control.

[PassingFair]

17. Politics is SIMILAR to religion.

I remember going to my first political
rally, walking towards it and seeing
like-minded people, believing that they
were all working towards a common goal,
smiling and joining together, walking
together...

and I distinctly remember thinking...
this is what a believer must feel like
when they walk into church...

especially those "mega" churches.

It was an interesting feeling.

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. Yes, and water boils at 100 degrees centigrades at sea level

not trying to be snarky, but this is exactly what was found by bona fide researchers

Same areas of the brain that ahem activate for religious people, activate for politics

[backtoblue]

24. I don't find you snarky at all

I receive your comment as a compliment considering research has already given credibility to my theory. :)

[Echo In Light]

23. Both tend to rely more on the individual's background assumptions more so than the facts presented

And both definitely involve adherence to belief systems that cannot be fully, factually proven ...and really, that what's worse w/politics, in how there's an entire industry working in many walks of life devoted to lying and mis/disinforming as a means of bolstering and securing, with as many as possible, mass adherence to a particular, sought after unreality that convinces people not to trust their own common sense and lying eyes.

[backtoblue]

25. Assumptions are the result of influence and belief

Perhaps religious sects have been conditioning people to be more suseptible to things that they cannot prove or see with their own eyes. Yes, that would make the "political religion" a very influential and powerful "faith" that could lead to a whole lotta institutionalized control. n/t

[ZombieHorde]

28. People can think of similarities or conections between any two things,

this is all your doing with your OP. Politics is not necessarily a religion. Your whole post is just word play (which is something I actually enjoy).

Your post is fun, but untrue.

[spanone]

29. but the prez ain't infallible like the pope, mr bu$h*