Religion is far beyond politics

Mike Huckabee, the conservative former Arkansas governor, this weekend said that he is concerned about Islam's role in Egypt's future. As On Faith panelist Reza Aslan this week noted, Huckabee has also called for Americans to "take this nation back for Christ" and, while running for president in 2008, declared that "what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards."

In America and in Egypt, should a majority religion inspire political life? How will Islam play a role in the struggles for democracy happening now in Egypt and other parts of the Muslim world?

Religion is a search for the holy, the eternal, the real; which is clearly far beyond politics and political theories. It is quest for the God.

Many times we get so entrapped in worldly aspect of religion that we tend to forget our divine origins, tend to forget God, whom ancient Shvetashvatara Upanishad calls "supreme magician," source of everything in this world, granter of all blessings, ruler of all creatures, supreme creator, who presides over all, who governs the forces of life, omniscient-omnipresent-omnipotent, beyond time and space, etc.

We should be asking Him to fill our hearts with infinite peace instead of claiming to be the sole executer of the political blueprint stemmed out of the edict from heaven.

Associating religion with national policy is not religion but politics. If we try to enforce our understanding on others and want them to live their lives accordingly, that is politics and not religion.

By Rajan Zed  |  February 4, 2011; 1:02 PM ET Save & Share:                 
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