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Political and Religious Beliefs

mangalavara

नमस्कार
Premium Member
why do some people's religious beliefs not coincide or agree in part with their political beliefs?

An elderly prophet spoke to his followers on a windy afternoon. There were few things that he said. His last two statements were, ‘Remember, Mickey Mouse’s dog, Pluto, is sovereign over the whole universe. None but he has the right to be worshiped.’ After spending some time eating with his followers and embracing them and kissing them, the elderly prophet was accompanied by his two daughters to a recreation center. There, he would vote for Janice Cha, a member of the Liberty Party.

Just after the elderly prophet had cast his vote, a university student approached him in the lobby and asked him, ‘Respected Prophet, how is it that you boldly state that only Pluto, Mickey Mouse’s dog, is to be adored yet you consistently vote for members of the Liberty Party? Does not the Liberty Party include on its platform the maintenance of religious liberty for all citizens and alien residents? With all due respect, I think you are inconsistent here.’

The elderly prophet replied, ‘Maintaining religious liberty for everybody on the island is indeed on the platform of the Liberty Party. This and all things on the platform have my support.’

‘Aye,’ said the university student, ‘But religious liberty aligns not with your doctrine, your creed that only Pluto has the right to be adored.’

Finally, the elderly prophet answered, ‘Kind Sir, that doctrine, that creed which I teach on the island pertains only to my followers. Pluto alone has the right to be adored indeed, but this law applies to the Children of the Constellation and none else. Moreover, a follower may depart from me at any time, and such a person is missed yet their civil liberties are acknowledged and respected.’

When the university student understood this, he bowed to the elderly prophet and then went on his way.
 

Fool

ALL in all
Premium Member
I disagree. There are endless types of people.

As to who I would vote for, my options are very limited. I can pencil in whoever the heck I want, but if I go with the ballot...

There might not be any one candidate I feel 'perfectly' aligns with my religious beliefs. I may have to pick the closest fit, acknowledging it isn't perfect.
there are endless types of beliefs, which have nothing to do with facts.

the self is either serving all the same as self, or has two sets of rules. one for self and one for others. the latter is called hypocrisy
 

Fool

ALL in all
Premium Member
I don't see that actually happening. What I see is that a person's beliefs are usually quite complex, with more than one ideal, and that means their beliefs just don't line up with either party. So they prioritize their ideals, and choose the party that lines up with those things at the top of the list. This happens for both those religious people on the left as well as those on the right.

For example, for some religious people, the anti-establishment clause is high on their list of ideals because they see it as loving their neighbor as themselves. Thus, they make it a point not to mention how their religion influences their politics. This makes it SEEM like the Democratic party is less religious, when in fact that is far from the case.
you can't serve love and empowerment of self over another. they are conflicts of interest
 

Fool

ALL in all
Premium Member
Sheep and goats are both herd animals, and not all people fit into the herd animal metaphor.
goats do not behave exactly like sheep, nor sheep like goats. after cats, goats are the second most domesticated animals to go feral. they don't have as strong a flock mentality. they tend more towards individuality than sheep
 

Fool

ALL in all
Premium Member
I have multiple sets of beliefs. Buddhism stays out of politics, and the practices of Buddhism are not in the realm of politics. I do have my political religion, Pastafarianism, (which is in the Sacred Clown tradition) in addition to my LHP Buddhist beliefs and practices.


again beliefs can be conflicting, obviously I wouldn't be asking the questions in the original thread. some people "believe" they are loving even as they abuse and neglect those they claim to love. a preacher who is also political, could be an example
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic Bully ☿
Premium Member
goats do not behave exactly like sheep, nor sheep like goats. after cats, goats are the second most domesticated animals to go feral. they don't have as strong a flock mentality. they tend more towards individuality than sheep
Buddhism says to be like a self-tamed elephant.

you can't serve love and empowerment of self over another. they are conflicts of interest
Dhammapada XII:
165.​
By oneself is evil done; by oneself is one defiled. By oneself is evil left undone; by oneself is one made pure. Purity and impurity depend on oneself; no one can purify another.

166. Let one not neglect one's own welfare for the sake of another, however great. Clearly understanding one's own welfare, let one be intent upon the good.​
 

Fool

ALL in all
Premium Member
Buddhism says to be like a self-tamed elephant.


Dhammapada XII:

165.

By oneself is evil done; by oneself is one defiled. By oneself is evil left undone; by oneself is one made pure. Purity and impurity depend on oneself; no one can purify another.​
166. Let one not neglect one's own welfare for the sake of another, however great. Clearly understanding one's own welfare, let one be intent upon the good.​
unfortunately when dealing with humans, people can call themselves anything and subsequently do anything


 

danieldemol

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Sometimes it boils down to a choice of a lesser of two evils, but I suspect that for some religion is just a policy they have in place for show because they cannot be too open about their hatred for others for fear of reprisal in my view
 
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