[Posted August 13, 2007]

God and Politics

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Rather than separate men from God in their day-to-day decisions and lives, empower them to discern what is real religion, rejecting fanaticism as delusion and abuse of religion for political gain.

Paramatma, Krishna who resides in the heart of all living beings. How then, is it possible to separate God out from a man's or woman's conscience and decisions?

CBS NewsAugust 20, 2007 - BONNIE ERBE

Presidential Contenders Talk Religion

In this observer's humble opinion, a national leader's belief that his (or her) policies are sanctioned by God or perhaps driven by God's will should be viewed as prominent a danger sign as a cross on fire. Look at those who have claimed "God's will" as cover for violent, inexcusable bloodshed and mayhem: the Crusaders, militant Jihadists Al Qaeda, the Taliban. In the case of the current White House occupant, it can be argued that Bush's faith-based leadership (to wit, his 2000 campaign statement that Jesus was his favorite political philosopher) caused the President and members of his administration to believe they were acting with God's will and God's approval to invade Iraq--a disastrous decision with widespread and long-term costs to the U.S.

This is not to criticize a country leader's belief in God. But he/she errs greatly when using that belief to justify human-made policy decisions, such as launching a war. President Bush has allowed religion to creep into federal policies to an extent Americans have not witnessed since before World War II, if not since the birth of this nation. If the Democrats are going to make "running against Bush" a hallmark of the '08 campaign, they must include in that agenda a promise to rebuild the now-wrecked wall between church and state as well as a pledge to keep their own religious beliefs close to their hearts, but out of government policy-making. go to story

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Animal or Human?

Can You Pass the Test? 30 Qualifications for Human Society A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Nowadays there is propaganda everywhere, all over the world, for a secular state, a state interested only in mundane activities. But if the citizens of the state are not educated in the above-mentioned good qualities, how can there be happiness? For example, if the total populace is untruthful, how can the state be happy? Therefore, without consideration of one's belonging to a sectarian religion, whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist or any other sect, everyone should be taught to become truthful. Similarly, everyone should be taught to be merciful, and everyone should observe fasting on certain days of the month. Everyone should bathe twice a day, cleanse his teeth and body externally, and cleanse his mind internally by remembering the holy name of the Lord. The Lord is one, whether one is Hindu, Muslim or Christian. Therefore, one should chant the holy name of the Lord, regardless of differences in linguistic pronunciation. Also, everyone should be taught to be very careful not to discharge semen unnecessarily. This is very important for all human beings. If semen is not discharged unnecessarily, one becomes extremely strong in memory, determination, activity and the vitality of one's bodily energy. Everyone should also be taught to be simple in thought and feeling and satisfied in body and mind. These are the general qualifications of a human being. There is no question of a secular state or an ecclesiastical state. Unless one is educated in the above-mentioned thirty qualities, there cannot be any peace. more

Separating God from the playing field

excerpt from conversation with disciples, Los Angeles, December 12, 1973

PRABHUPADA: Oh yes. Why not? Krishna was in politics. So Krishna consciousness means all-round: social, political, philosophical, religious, cultural, everything. It is not one-sided. They take it as... They do not know. Therefore they are thinking it is a religious movement. No, it is all-including, all-including, all-pervasive.

UMAPATI: Well, they have incorporated a particular philosophy into the constitution requiring separation of church and state, what they call separation of church and state in this country.

PRABHUPADA: Yes, this is... We have already separated. Chatur-varnyam maya. Brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya, shudra. That is already separated.

UMAPATI: So there are certain restrictions about religious organizations entering politics.

PRABHUPADA: So what does it mean? Christians, they do not take part in politics?

UMAPATI: Well, they can't do it as...

KARANDHARA: Not the churches.

PRABHUPADA: No, not the churches. Our grihasthas will take part. The sannyasis will give advice. Directly the grihasthas will fight. There should be an administrative class. That is... Now it is prescribed in the Bhagavad-gita. There should be four classes: brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya, shudra. Now, it is spoken by God. Therefore it should be rejected? Does it mean? God is for everything. What is this nonsense? And Krishna acted as kshatriya. Therefore He should not be God? Is that very good argument? God is all-inclusive. And religion means God's word, carrying out God's word. That is religion. So how you can make separate?

KARANDHARA: Well, you can't, but they do.

PRABHUPADA: They do everything, but they are demons. They do mental concoction. Why these politicians say, "In God we believe, we trust"? Why this nonsense?

UMAPATI: They fear theocracy. They fear being ruled by a priestly class. That is a very old fear in the west.

PRABHUPADA: No, no, that's all right. But if the politicians, administration, trust in God, that becomes religious. How they separate? Currency note is economic problem. So how they are mixing with God? They are contradictory. You cannot separate God from any field of activities. And religion, they do not know what is the meaning of religion. Our definition of religion is to abide by the order of God. So does it mean the politicians they do not abide by the orders of God? Then why do they write, "In God we trust"?

KARANDHARA: Well before, traditionally...

PRABHUPADA: Not before or now. What we are speaking on the actual fact, that how they are writing, "In God we trust." As soon as you bring in God, that is religion. That is general meaning.

KARANDHARA: There is a movement to take that off the money.

PRABHUPADA: Therefore we have to start this movement seriously, not to take that. You cannot change it. Then you become demons. Therefore I am warning you that before they, these rascals change, you take the advantage of it, that "You cannot change. Then you become demons, you are animals. If you withdraw your trust from God, then you are animals. So we are not going to be governed by the animals." That should be the people's voice. Educate people to become Krishna conscious and they will yell, "No, we are not going to be governed by the animals. We want real men." That should be your demand. Therefore I am warning you, that before they do that, you become strong, so that they cannot do it. Rather, they may understand, "Yes, what we are speaking is all right." That is preaching.

NARA-NARAYANA: Actually, when they formed the country and made the constitution, the concept was they were basically they believed in God, but they were afraid that some religion would become politically powerful and disturb the...

PRABHUPADA: So what does...? But that means they do not understand what is meant by religion. They are thinking religion means some fanatical faith. They are meaning that. That is the whole world conception of religion. But actual religion we are now preaching, actual, what is religion. Religion means... Just like Krishna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam: [Bhagavad-gita 18.66] "Give up all rascal religion. Surrender unto Me." So who is a sane man who will deny, "No, I don't surrender to God"? Who is a sane man? He must be insane. Anyone who says that "I don't like God, I don't like to surrender unto Him," then he must be insane. He has already surrendered. He is going on under the condition of surrender, but it is not done voluntarily... Just like a prisoner. He is already surrendered to the government. Still, he says, "I don't care for government." This is the position. He's a madman. The state arrests him, kicks him, and puts him in the jail. Still, he says, "I don't care for government." So what can be done? "We don't care for the government." Just like Gandhi started civil disobedience movement, disobedience to the government laws, but all the whole stock was put into jail and they were beaten with shoes. But still, they said, "No, we are..." This is an example of their defiance. Similarly, everyone is obeying, surrendering to God. But because they are rascal and fools, they are denying that we have surrendered. This is their position, madness. nobody can stay without surrendering to God. It is not possible.

UMAPATI: Well, in a madhouse, a sane man is the only one considered mad.

PRABHUPADA: Yes. So, "It is folly to be wise where ignorance is bliss." That is already there. So we have to act by the order of Krishna, not by the votes of the madmen. Just see the fun. Everyone is under control. Who is free? It is simply illusion. They are thinking, "I am free." Nobody is free. Under the stringent laws of nature, and still, he is thinking, "I don't care for God." This is madness. This is madness. Already under the laws of God, but still, he's protesting, "No, I don't care for God. There is no God." So we have to save these madmen from further deterioration. This is Krishna consciousness movement.

Sri Guru and Gauranga