Whether we like it or not, human religiosity will not shrink in the future in the world and politicians/political parties will try to use religion to their advantage and rival’s disadvantage. The United States of America has a long tradition of church-state separation, but on the other hand also has a penchant for blending politics and religion.

Presidential candidates should be weighed upon their stands on foreign policy, health care, economy, peace/war, poverty, civil liberties, education, social security, trade issues, taxes and government services, deficit, technology and infrastructure, business and labor, minimum wage, environment, immigration, budget, etc., and their professional qualifications.

The trespass of religion into politics should be rebuffed.

In Hinduism, shunning of sinner is advised as sin is thought to be transmittable by physical contact, by thought, and by speech. Association with big sinners (mahapatakasamsarga) is a capital sin (mahapataka), which is difficult to atone for.

Sin is exonerated by purification, knowledge, penance (prayascittas), etc. Evils and sins are collectively known as dosha.

Hinduism instructs to avoid the following: avarice (lobha), jealousy (irsha), envy (matsarya), malice (dvish), fury (krodha), scurrility (durvachana), lust (kamarago), back-biting (parivada), anger (manyu), egoism (asmita), impatience (amarsha), arrogance (mana), sensuality (avirati), gluttony (atyahara), hostility (droha), self-centeredness (mamata), etc.

Religion is a very mighty force, so we should not take it lightly. Sacred texts can be misapplied through handpicked reading, deciphering and interpretation.

It is hazardous:
· When we start seeing ourselves as God’s exclusive agents.
· When political profile is based on a decree from heaven that relies on us human
beings to execute.
· When religious beliefs become bolted into ultimate truths.
· When we appoint ourselves as the warden of the ultimate truth.
· When we start expanding the beliefs, convictions and doctrine of our religion to the
the social and political arena.

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