Why does religion always turn into politics? What happened to the separation between church and state?

Religion often (I don’t think that “always” is accurate) turns into politics because:

• people become passionate about the lifestyle they have learned from their religious practices
• it is easier to set laws and regulations if a group shares the same values and authority
• there are those who wish to control others by way of religion.

Other reasons are too numerous to list, but the reality will always exist. Maybe the question today is: How does my religion inform my politics? Passionate believers were some of the strongest voices in instituting the concept of “separation of church and state.” Politics that allow for participation also allow people to “vote their values.” The great part of religion informing politics is that beliefs really do matter.

Suggested Reading: Thomas Cahill, The Hinges of History series.