religion and state

825 Words2 Pages

Religion is an organized system of beliefs, practices, rules and ceremonies used to worship a god or groups of gods. Religion as an organization has an overall leader who is normally elected by a special council of church leaders. From this the church is seen to have defined structures that enable it perform its duties. On the other hand, the State is an organization that is the governing authority of a political unit. The leader of a state is normally elected by the majority. This shows how religion is closely related to the state in terms structures and management. The relation between religion and state is a very important subject that helps in the establishment of the political philosophy of a state. However, at some point the religious demands conflicts with the political philosophy of the state. For example, in the case of the Islam that demand absolute obedience to Allah’s will.
In most cases, the religious beliefs and practices supports the state politics in many ways like the morals and ethical norms taught by the church strengthen the faith in the state thus promoting good governance although the extent of the form and support can be source of conflict in the state (Martin,n.d). The intersection of religion and politics in a state is therefore of great concern as it determines the sustainability and the coexistence of a state and help in solving the philosophical problems such as faith versus separation between the church and the state, tolerance versus coercion of religious beliefs and conflicts between religious practice and political authority, liberal citizenship and its demands on self understanding and the role of religion in political deliberation.
Religion has played a key in the political life of various states...

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...eligious involvement in state governance, I agree with the religion involvement in government for the peace, conformity, coercion and tolerance, ethics and morals it emphasizes thus promoting good governance.

Works Cited

Flood, G. D. (2012). The Importance of Religion: Meaning and Action in our Strange World. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
Martin.R.(n.d).Religious Freedom and Conflict. A Review of the Evidence. Retrieved 27 April 2014 from http://www.thearda.com/workingpapers/download/USAID%20Religion%20and%20Conflict%20Final%20Report%209-18-12.pdf
Bingham.J.(2012).Christians must Choose between Religion and Obeying law, says Equalities chief Trevor Phillips. The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 April 2014 from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9088352/Christians-must-choose-between-religion-and-obeying-law-says-equalities-chief-Trevor-Phillips.html

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