Bernhard
Gold Member
There seem to be different kinds of religious people:
Some focus on their belief and the teachings of their religion. They practize their religion and want to be "good".
And then, there are others for whom religion is less about belief, and more a kind of identity, like national identity is for nationalists: It doesn't matter if you're a "good Christian" or "bad Christian", for example, as long as you are culturally a Christian. Just like for, say, German nationalists, you feel closer to a violent criminal German than to a law-abiding foreigner -- because even if you're a convicted criminal, you're still German.
This kind of religion as identity rather than belief, this religious tribalism, often comes with mixing religion with politics. It's what islamists do, and it's what certain Christian "religious right" people do.
What do you think about that? If you're a believer, do you think such an attitude damages the integrity of your faith? And do you think mixing your religion with politics is a good or bad thing?
If you're not religious, what is your take on this?
Some focus on their belief and the teachings of their religion. They practize their religion and want to be "good".
And then, there are others for whom religion is less about belief, and more a kind of identity, like national identity is for nationalists: It doesn't matter if you're a "good Christian" or "bad Christian", for example, as long as you are culturally a Christian. Just like for, say, German nationalists, you feel closer to a violent criminal German than to a law-abiding foreigner -- because even if you're a convicted criminal, you're still German.
This kind of religion as identity rather than belief, this religious tribalism, often comes with mixing religion with politics. It's what islamists do, and it's what certain Christian "religious right" people do.
What do you think about that? If you're a believer, do you think such an attitude damages the integrity of your faith? And do you think mixing your religion with politics is a good or bad thing?
If you're not religious, what is your take on this?