How do Religious Beliefs affect Politics?

"How do Religious beliefs affect Politics?” this question will immediately make you think of many words, but I think the first two words that will come to my mind are influential and controversial. I think politics and religion have been a part of the world since the start of human kind and it is very essential to understand its effects on the people but also to the entire world, especially about globalization. When I say that religion and politics are influential, it is because religion can affect the way of living by a person, so is politics. They are also both controversial because many events that have happened all around the world that are somewhat bloody and a little unconventional.

Let us first differentiate religion from politics. When we say religion, we immediately think of a higher power, specifically God. We also talk about beliefs, divinity and meaning of life. While politics on the other hand is about being governed by fellow human being, it also talks about laws specifically in a nation, municipality or anywhere there’s government, there’s politics. Religion is about divinity, beyond human while politics is about government controlled by humans. So if you think closely, how can these two different perspectives of a person influence each other? Religious beliefs can affect politics in how the people with that specific religion use their religious beliefs as guidance in achieving their political goals.

From the book Global Politics, it was said that when you think of religion and global politics, you will immediately think of Islamic world. I think the author made this example because Islamic world or Islam to be exact is a very strict religion. From what I know, they value their religious beliefs very much that is connected to any decisions they will make especially when it comes to political goals. They have Islamism for them to continue living with both their religious beliefs and politics. This is their way to become modern without having to lose their values and beliefs. But along with these, they have been already convicted as people who are violent and their religion may seem to be the core of this violence. Because when you say Islam or Muslim, people may immediately think that that person is a terrorist. Their religion is already being tainted with their unconventional way of pursuing political achievements.

But of course, not all religions are aimed for violence in taking in global politics. Some religion uses their beliefs in building new bases of mass popular support. A religious institution is also capable of forming alliances of the sort traditionally seen in global politics (Mandaville, 2008). But some believes that the church should be separated from the state. Some say that this is so because of the differences between cultures. Different religions have different beliefs, and this makes the connection between other people or countries hard or impossible because of cultural and religious differences. And this could result into more complications and hindrance for globalization.

I think even if we separate or put religion and politics together, it will always have the same effect. I think religious beliefs will always serve as guidance for global politics or it can also be hindrance for political goals. Either way religion will somewhat control politics because maybe religion is more powerful than politics will ever be.