Religion and Politics

When political decisions are made where moral issues have to be considered religion often comes into the picture. I personally am not a very religious person, I have morals and values because I believe in the importance of being a good person and doing the right thing, not because a greater power tells me to do so. However many choose to have a greater power guide and influence their decisions. Even within religious groups political decisions sometimes have to be made. Organized religion unites groups of people and creates a path for them to follow together in unison, this is why many religious groups often end up having significant political power. For example, the Pope was probably the most powerful political figure in Europe in the middle ages. I'm sure many who are less educated and attend church or some similar religious organization base their political decisions off of what their religious organization leans towards. Many even believe that the War on Terrorism is a religious war between Christianity and Islam. This is absolutely incorrect but it's hard to blame people for thinking these things as the line between religion and politics has become extremely blurred. I personally think it's sad that religion and politics have become so blurred because I think this is the product of the miseducation of lower classes and devious influence of upper class and powerful political figures. Though I do not really follow religion I respect how it gives people hope and something to influence good morals, I do not think religion should ever be used as a tool, more weapon, in the hands of politicians.