Where a candidate stands on the following issues, and not the faith background of the candidate, should be high on the agenda of the voter while going to presidential polls in 2008: fiscal policy, foreign policy, economy, health care, immigration, employment, civil liberties/rights, international trade, world peace, social security, etc. Religion, although the most powerful and pervasive force, is very personal. Political blueprints should not be based on a decree from heaven.

Physical truth and spiritual truth are inseparable. Religion and science are connected.

In Hinduism, science and religion go hand in hand. The relationship between Hinduism and science goes back to the Indus Valley civilization, as old as 2500 BCE. Vedic science appears to have included components of astronomy, biology, mathematics, chemistry, medicine, metallurgy, etc. The notion of atomic/molecular world was integrated into Vaiseshika school (between around 250 BCE to 100 CE) of Hindu philosophy. Yoga included some remarkable methods of breath/respiration control. Ancient sages were said to be acquainted with radar, microbiology, radioactivity, television, etc. Epic heroes of Hinduism flew first aircrafts. In Hinduism, there is theory of Seven Worlds, Doctrine of the Ages of the World, religious categories of Space in Veda, reference to quantum mechanics in scriptures, as well as mysteries of Vedic/Puranic aeronautics and Tantrik biochemistry, etc.

Because of ingrained respect for all forms of life and universe being a divine creation, Hinduism supports environmental protection. Nature is sacred and the divine is manifested through all its forms.

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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.

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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