>>I am currently in high school and
want to get into politics when i grow older. I would like to run for congress
and since i was born in America even hoping to become president. I strongly
believe in seperation of church and state but will my decisions be considered as
sins? (ex. gay marriage: I think when it comes to politics we have no right to
make people feel bad about themselves since it won't make them give up there way
of life)<<
Thanks for writing to Adam and Chancellor
Going into politics can be a great thing. When we consider that God is
running everything, and that God is the One who grants us our guidance, then
your desire to go into politics should be viewed as a direction from God. God
willing you will go with God if you pursue a political career.
Regarding separation of church and state, I completely agree. But that
doesn't mean forgetting to rule in accordance with God's commands.
2:256 There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is
now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes
in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer,
Omniscient.
God gave us the freedom to choose which path we want to follow. As citizens
in a free society, we don't have the right to impose one religion over
another. Our elected officials don't have the right to impose any religion.
People should be free to choose any religion, or no religion at all.
You are correct that we can't force gays and lesbians to change. But
neither do we have to give them special rights because of their sexual
persuasion. If two men want to live together it is their business. What
they do behind closed doors should be just as private as what a married man
and woman do. While the laws respect the right of family, whether parents,
siblings, children or spouses, to make life and death decisions for a family
member who becomes physically or mentally incapacitated, no such laws exist
for gays/lesbians with regard to their partner of choice. There are legal
instruments that allow us to appoint someone we trust to make those life and
death decisions for us if we become unable. As individuals, we have the
right to appoint anyone we choose, a trusted friend, for example, rather
than a family member, to make life and death decisions for us. This is a
right that should be available to everyone, a right not based on sexual
persuasion. There is a difference between human rights and rights based
solely on perverted behavior. God commands us in the Quran to write a
will. Because God is the Most Merciful, He has given us inheritance
rules in case we die intestate, before we are able to write a will. Two
people of the same sex who wish to form a committed partnership should write
a will to protect their wishes in the event of death. They do not need to
protest and demand special laws giving them special privileges. Yet, we see
society bending to social pressure because a minority wants to promote and
impose their special interests on the rest of us.
If you pursue a career as an elected official, your first goal should be to
avoid sin. Would you become a bank teller and then steal money out of the
cash drawer? If you do not believe that it is possible to become a
politician without deliberating disobeying God, then you should reconsider
your priorities in this life.
Recall that David and Solomon were political leaders, and because they
trusted God to guide them, God blessed their leadership. Sheba was a true
submitter, as well as a woman ruler. When she saw the profound miracle of
her palace arriving in Solomon's land before her own arrival, she submitted
to God. Only the believers can see and appreciate God's miracles. Pharaoh
was shown many miracles, yet he insisted they were clever magic. Pharaoh
was arrogant, and in the end, he was the loser.
2:251 They defeated them by GOD's leave, and David killed Goliath.
GOD gave him kingship and wisdom, and taught him as He willed. If it were not
for GOD's support of some people against others, there would be chaos on
earth. But GOD showers His grace upon the people.
27:15 We endowed David and Solomon with knowledge, and they said,
"Praise GOD for blessing us more than many of His believing servants."
38:26 O David, we have made you a ruler on earth. Therefore, you
shall judge among the people equitably, and do not follow your personal
opinion, lest it diverts you from the way of GOD. Surely, those who stray off
the way of GOD incur severe retribution for forgetting the Day of Reckoning.
38:34 We thus put Solomon to the test; we blessed him with vast
material wealth, but he steadfastly submitted.
27:44 She was told, "Go inside the palace." When she saw its interior, she
thought it was a pool of water, and she (pulled up her dress,) exposing her
legs. He said, "This interior is now paved with crystal." She said, "My Lord,
I have wronged my soul. I now submit with Solomon to GOD, Lord of the
universe."
11:96 We sent Moses with our signs and a profound authority.
11:97 To Pharaoh and his elders. But they followed the command of Pharaoh, and
Pharaoh's command was not wise.
11:98 He will lead his people on the Day of Resurrection, all the way to Hell;
what a miserable abode to live in!
27:12 "Put your hand in your pocket; it will come out white, without a
blemish. These are among nine miracles to Pharaoh and his people,
for they are wicked people."
27:13 When our miracles were presented to them, clear and profound,
they said, "This is obviously magic."
17:101 We supported Moses with nine profound miracles - ask the Children
of Israel. When he went to them, Pharaoh said to him, "I think
that you, Moses, are bewitched."
3:11 Like Pharaoh's people and those before them, they rejected
our revelations and, consequently, GOD punished them for their sins. GOD
is strict in enforcing retribution.
8:52 This is the same fate as that of Pharaoh's people and those
who disbelieved before them. They rejected GOD's revelations, and GOD
punished them for their sins. GOD is powerful, and His retribution is
severe.
Whether we become elected officials, or we remain citizens who vote for those
elected officials, we have a duty, if we fear God, to choose our leaders with
regard to righteousness. The following verses give us important guidelines
for conducting our business and carrying out the most righteous actions:
4:81 They pledge obedience, but as soon as they leave you, some of them harbor
intentions contrary to what they say. GOD records their innermost intentions.
You shall disregard them, and put your trust in GOD. GOD suffices as
an advocate.
4:135 O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable, and observe GOD,
when you serve as witnesses, even against yourselves, or your parents, or your
relatives. Whether the accused is rich or poor, GOD takes care of both.
Therefore, do not be biased by your personal wishes. If you deviate or
disregard (this commandment), then GOD is fully Cognizant of everything
you do.
6:137 Thus were the idol worshipers duped by their idols, to the extent of
killing their own children. In fact, their idols inflict great pain upon them,
and confuse their religion for them. Had GOD willed, they would not have done
it. You shall disregard them and their fabrications.
7:199 You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard
the ignorant.
53:29 You shall disregard those who turn away from our message, and
become preoccupied with this worldly life.
73:10 And remain steadfast in the face of their utterances, and disregard
them in a nice manner.
76:27 These people are preoccupied with this fleeting life, while
disregarding - just ahead of them - a heavy day.
23:71 Indeed, if the truth conformed to their wishes, there would be chaos in
the heavens and the earth; everything in them would be corrupted. We have
given them their proof, but they are disregarding their proof.
If you walk alone, trying to uphold your own opinions, you will be easily
confused and misled. If you walk with God, and maintain righteousness, God
will not let you down.
27:53 We save those who believe and lead a righteous life.
27:54 Lot said to his people, "How could you commit such an abomination,
publicly, while you see?
27:55 "You practice sex with the men, lustfully, instead of the women. Indeed,
you are ignorant people."
27:56 The only response from his people was their saying, "Banish Lot's family
from your town; they are people who wish to be pure."
27:57 Consequently, we saved him and his family, except his wife; we counted
her among the doomed.
27:58 We showered them with a certain shower
27:59 Say, "Praise be to GOD and peace be upon His servants whom He chose. Is
GOD better, or the idols some people set up?"
21:74 As for Lot, we granted him wisdom and knowledge, and we saved
him from the community that practiced abominations; they were wicked and
evil people.
114:0 In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
114:1 Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of the people.
114:2 "The King of the people.
114:3 "The God of the people.
114:4 "From the evils of sneaky whisperers.
114:5 "Who whisper into the chests of the people.
114:6 "Be they of the jinns, or the people."
To be an effective leader, you must stand on conviction, God willing, fighting
in the cause of God. We have to base our position on the truth,
even if it makes people "feel bad." This does not mean we humiliate people.
It means we obey God's commands first, and do not subject ourselves to the
desires of people who are not guided, or follow our own opinions. We should
allow the misguided people to live in peace, only so long as they do not
impose their corrupted views on us. God willing if you ever run for office
and are elected, you will govern with God guiding you.
God bless you,
AJ
Adamandchancellor@submission.org
