Political beliefs

can be inspired by religious beliefs, but the former and the latter do not have to be mixed.

Believers in Messiah Jesus do not have to conform to any particular political beliefs.

One reason why some people (a lot of people actually) are leery of religious institutions is because way too many religious institutions are mixing politics with religion.

Such a situation grows worse every year.

I do not know how religious institutions in other nations (except Muslim nations) deal with politics, but I do know how ones in the USA do.

What they do stinks.

I will illustrate what I mean.

The mixing of politics with religion did not originate in the USA. It has been going on ever since the last of the biblical Apostles died. However, what has been happening in the USA has tarnished the reputation of anyone daring to claim to be a believer in Messiah Jesus.

What has been happening is appalling from my perspective.

A believer in Messiah Jesus is not banned from being a member of any particular political party, nor is a believer required to support a particular political party.

A believer in Messiah Jesus does not have to support any particular politician or be against any particular politician.

Yet, faith in Messiah Jesus does allow one to be opposed to a politician favored by other believers in Jesus.

For example . . .

I do not know how it is in other nations, but way too many "Christians" in the USA are trying to turn the USA into a theocracy of their liking.

Faith in Messiah Jesus does not require one to turn one's nation into any kind of theocracy. 

Even if they aren't trying to turn their nation into a theocracy, believers in Messiah Jesus can make the mistake of promoting their political beliefs during formal church events such as Sunday School classes, worship services and congregation business meetings.

Such a promotion tends to drive people away from whatever congregation the promotion is occurring in.

A politically-neutral church is welcoming to all. A politically-biased church isn't.

Yes, even a United Methodist congregation can advertise itself as being welcoming to all while signaling that the congregation favors certain political beliefs.