When did politics become religion?

When did politics become religion?

Democratic politics or the politics of democracies

Was supposed to be the civil and the civilized political way

Eight years of a black presidency aroused a fierce latent racism

Regular hardworking folks were labelled deplorables

They sadly realized their lives were not better than those of ‘others’

A blame game started, lets find the cause of our discontent

Immigrants and minorities were the first target

 Why should black lives matter? Blue lives matter. All lives matter.

Misinformation and ratings-driven media gave serious issues bizarre perspectives

Demagogic leaders and their scared silent enablers created explosive situations.

A serious pandemic became a political football-real, not real, Chinese, bat made.

People thronged at different temples, none of which was the House of God.

Organized religion is a wonderful entity

Corporate religions are amazing in their grandeur, their complexity, their influence.

The daily religious life of millions of people adds peace, structure and meaning to their existence.

I watched a giant cathedral being built in the heart of downtown Lucknow in India,

A city with equal Muslim and Hindu inhabitants

Italian architects built a giant spire with a cross and Jesus on it, another monument In a city of ancient monuments.

I  have visited holy Hindu shrines, enjoy the chanting and the fervor of saffron clad devotees, immersing themselves in rivers, marching to the calls of Har har Mahadeva, or dancing like Krishna.

I have watched the Muslim celebrations as burqa clad women and men in formal wear and short beards watch for the rising moon on Eid or whip themselves with chains crying Hai Hussain to commemorate the battle of Karbala.

 I have seen the peace at Sikh gurudwaras as people fan the Holy Granth book of worship and serve free meals to thousands of people.

I have sat through long Catholic masses in Latin and attended evangelical gatherings where folks spoke in tongues and rolled on the ground crying, “I am a sinner. Jesus save me.””

Religion is interesting. It is vibrant. The rituals are beautiful, the faith is awe-inspiring. It means a lot to a lot of people. Sometimes it defines them.

It can also wreak havoc in worlds.

Rigid beliefs and righteousness can unleash brimstone and hellfire

The persecution of the Jews, the inquisition, stoning, suicide bombers.

All the wonderful teachings of all religions are cast aside for a darker, narrower vision.

There is good religion, and there is a slippery slope to a judgemental fringe.

A fringe that could destroy us.

Politics is about electing our representatives- government by the people, for the people.

Politics is about governing people in an orderly, equitable way.

It is about allocating resources, infrastructure, building a workable society.

Politicians, like all human beings, are a mixed bag of folks.

Some are true public servants, some have leadership qualities

Most are well-intentioned.

Power can be intoxicating and sometimes dangerous.

Some politicians become corrupt. Some are demagogues.

People are still people-a mixed bag of folks.

How can political orientation change who we are?

I had a two hour long conversation with a man I was buying books from, starting with ”You’re a single woman going to a strangers house to pick up books. Where is your concealed carry?”  We moved on to our career trajectories. He told me about his volunteering as a Cub Scout leader, his Irish Catholic roots, his mother- short, red-haired, mean, his wife-tall, blond, mean. His kids wear MAGA hats, go to survival camps, are Eagle Scouts. His door is open to kids of all backgrounds and he loves hunting and hunting trophies. I told him about green-haired children, marching band volunteering, books and shooting lessons. After two hours, we were BFF’s, not Democrat Liberal or Trump-lovin’ Republican. Just two people who talked and shared stories.

Life is a journey. We are all humans. There is more that can make us relate as human beings than can divide and alienate us. We have to open the door to that humanity and human warmth. And don’t let politics become a religion.