We can't destroy the bogeymen under the bed, so we created religion. We are mean, selfish hairless apes...so we need the illusion of compromise called "politics".

These days in America, politics IS a religion.

We have to keep religion out of politics because politics belongs to us. It's our only hope to make things better and for that we have to fight hard.

And dating too.

Well they were during the Dark Ages for sure. I certainly hope we are not on the cusp of a 2nd Dark Age !!

Yes and HELL YES. Religion IS a form of politics, and a fairly abusive one at that.

No. One is about clinging to dogmatic beliefs to make sense of your existence in a world where you are miniscule and ignorant, and resigning yourself to the fact that you are powerless to understand, much less do anything about, the seemingly random tragedies that befall humanity; and the other one is religion. Hehehe, fooled ya. The other is humans taking charge of reality and dealing with practicalities and using our reason and forethought to shape the world in which we live - to make the experience of our lives just, and predictable and prosperous over the long term - in defiance of the random chaos of the universe. Politics is a means by which we argue for, or otherwise make manifest, the rules and codes by which we seek to carve a space for individuals to have a shot at their fullest potental. it's where we poke our thumbs into the eye of superstition and defeatism, and the helplessness of religion, and actually demand an seize control of the ship. And, yes, sometimes that system breaks and we have to work really hard to fix our mistakes. Like now.

Government employees don't like it when you say that out loud, especially judges.

It's sad to see the cynicism here about politics. I understand it. Political discourse has been corrupted over recent decades, most shockingly in supposedly progressive political parties. But such cynicism works only to the advantage of reactionary political forces, which foster cynicism about politics, and benefit from people's sense of abandonment of and believe in political processes. But how else do we facilitate change - through the largess of the world's rich elites, multinational corporations, global media? I think not. What people want to see is idealism and conviction in politics. It was good to see some of that in the Bernie Sanders movement recently. No wonder the big parties scuttled him. I'm a naturally very cynical person. But I'll be damned if I'll accept just sailing passively toward a dystopian future to the benefit of the elites.

Absolutely... now combine these forces...

and manipulation....

Religion and politics do not go together. Almost all wars have religious rebellion in there somewhere. The only who who gains over fights in religions and politics are the ones who run the country. Though I would say Hello. I am looking for the same thing.I want to spend the last part of my life in love.Who knows? I don't debate, take bullying, calling me cuss words, acting like I am stupid, and disagreements in beliefs. Everyone should have the happiness of feeling they have their life figured out some.

You are on the right general track, but not accurate. Religion is a total system ideology -- one which purports to include and explain everything. There are also political total system ideologies, including communism. All total system ideologies are totalitarian systems demanding obedience to false dogma. Those systems are all about control.

Yes, and you can add trade and finance to that, ie commerce.

And being out of control. So much being lost in the argument with little to be gained by the divisions they create.

I think Christians better watch. Donald Trump is the closest creature to an Antichrist I have ever been exposed to. I call him 45 because I refuse to refer to him as part of humanity. Search Antichrist on the internet.You will find much Biblical information. If I were a Christian, I would be digging me a hidey hole. The people who praise him also break a commandment. Thou shall have false GODS.That throws you into the depths of hell.I am giving you the Biblical warning. DO not assume I am a Christian for I am not . As a matter of fact, my little religion box is not labeled. I do know bits and pieces of the Bible. No bullying, skepticism, trying to label, cuss me. I am non violent. I am not into negative energy. I give people their space to believe as they wish It is a 2nd amendment right.

To some extent it is. However in both religion and politics there are some altruists.

As far as religion goes, whatever is out there, there's nothing I can do about it. "it is what it is " as everyone seems to like to say.

Politically, I don't care about anything anymore. It's all up to the next generation. Just keep their paws off of my social security and Medicare.

Your view of politics may be for control, mine is for freedom.

Yea I am convinced both systems are brilliant designs created to meet our every need both lateral and vertical.

Thank you for telling me.

They are not the same and will never be when it comes to controlling in our daily life we all need to control ourselves anywhere we are at any time

Which is why they do not like political anarchists. Are you an anarchist? [en.wikipedia.org]