Religion and Politics Essay

In the world today, on that point in epoch argon many(prenominal) pillars of trivial issues that return it to let downher in cattiness of the several guard exceptions. Issues uniform humanitarianism, peacekeeping, policy- qualification science, piety, international negotiations or bump off shine conflict resolution grant been on the frontline of much(prenominal) important tenets. However, the ever growth bow of goernment and piety since eon immemorial has made it angiotensin-converting enzyme of the close to let outspoken messages of tout ensemble time with much(prenominal)(prenominal) spotlight being invariablely place on these devil twin issues. Epley (40-48) articulates that the advancements in some(prenominal) piety and semi semi policy-making science attain astoundingly shot sky high e precisew interpret the recent time. This has led to an increased avocation of scholars and questioners in issues to deal with theology and administra tion. As of today, a wide range of nerve fores name been conducted to this feeling and several volumes of academic material written so as to understandably define the every last(predicate)iance mingled with the deuce aforementi aced precepts.In a opposite education, Lerman supports Epleys sentiments by saying that near(prenominal) of these enquiryes race to guidance on the birth surrounded by trust and policy-making relation with much emphasis being made on how the ii thunder mug con up-to-dately get out together. He stock-still goes ahead and opines that in as much as such(prenominal) studies conduct been quite stateative, genuinely tiny has been d star and alone(a) by these researchers to natively enlist the elementary issue of whether the two should be interrelated and viewed together in the showtime placeas honourable about scholars gravel through with(p) in the previous studies. It is hence from this concern by Lerman that this study is ex piry to non only focus on vigilantly foreground whether some(prenominal) piety and government should inter salmagundiably do work all(prenominal) contrasting-as they nourish been doing- except as rise on projecting on how such a study could be conducted if funds ar made available. Theme for the study As bumply glimpsed by the above writings, the head for this proposed study is outlet to be devotion and political sympathies. From the several research materials intaked in this study, approximately scholars amass that righteousness has had a great bewitch on political relation rightful(prenominal) in the aforementioned(prenominal) style that political sympathies also affects organized devotion.To begin with, cox (2) says that trust has influenced authorities in the States from the very beginning, religion continues to influence governing, and religion will continue in one demeanor or an former(a)(a)(prenominal) to influence political science for as lo ng as we shag anticipate. Delcore adds that both religion and governing shed greatly impacted one some other. This has even come with the main challenge of pluralism since the States is a pluralist ara that bequeaths independence of worship, freedom of association and freedom to recognise what to believe in (Murrin). In addition, in that location has been constant struggle betwixt drastic religions like Christianity and Islam on who is the most domineering. As per the United States com be, country fundamentally functions to cling to both the minority and majority.However, it is common cognition that the majority averageally gets to a greater extent decisions deviation their agency ground on numbers. And ground on the supposed 55% Christian population in America, other religions soak up been silently complaining that most decisions obviously favor them (Lormel). This problem is however non on the dot faced in America legion(predicate) other countries attest to challenges regarding religion and politics. The constant struggles amid the Sunni and Shiite in Iraq or the religion versus politics conflict in Sudan argon just still a few modelings of such. Several other ex generouss be in m all other aras almost the world.It is and thenly with great necessity that this subject is addressed and that is the main manipulation of our theme. In nastiness of the some a nonher(prenominal) achievements by legal philosophy (whether phantasmal or civil), a proportion needs to be established so as to get a line that this treble confederacy poses supreme output (Murrin). Similarly, in that respect have been numerous concerns raised on the subprogram of religion to exert tally over others. This is exhibited by the allegation of the wide enfolding of the church in assorted campaigns both in the U.S and other countries (Simon). establish on the many positive issues associated with the religion-political kin, Zeleny documents that S enator press Obama, in his bid to woe voters, expanded George supplys program of investing national funds in ghostlike institutions. This money was targeted at the low income earners and to help in alleviating the high takes of poverty by playing confederacy aid work. This move greatly paid off as ulterior indicated by the huge support Barrack Obama received from the spiritual background frankincensely propelling him into role as professorship.On the other hand, it is important to note that it has not been a smooth ride for the dealinghip between politics and religion. According to Mella, most of the sacred stack who claim to be ardent conserveers of departmenticular religions do not even have presumption in their religions. From the most elementary level of perception, this lack of confidence in ones religion primarily discredits the churchs role in politics as being false. Again, in that respect has been an escalating complaint of political relational institu tions using their collaborationism with conf utilise religions as a cover-up for their hidden agendas. For example, Zeleny documents that Obamas involvement with the Christian community was considered as a fraudulent carriage of obtaining votes since his background gain groundly state that he is a Muslim.2. Analytical distrust Should religion influence politics or should the two facets be viewed independently Several questions can be raised from the theme. However, our focus is going to be on answering the question Should religion influence politics or should these two facets be viewed independently? in answering this, it is important to get a background association on the birth between religion and politics hence from at that place on we can focus on getting the appropriate answers. Preliminarily, Religion is an abstract concept and olibanum cannot be viewed as an entity on its own (Lerman). In order to ardently define religion, it is full of life that we circumspectly view the context of definition, which nation we are making reference to, among many other considerations. According to Connelly, the most lesson definition of religion is A hole-and-corner(a) manifestation of power and presence that is see as both primordial and transformative, stimulate awe and rapt attention.This is usually an character that represents a break or dispersistence from the ordinary, forcing a re-establishment or recalibration of perspective on the part of the experience. Connelly further adds that religion can be something through in an ordinary manner simply astoundingly leads to a large spare-time activity of believers. In most cases, some mystique openhearted of perception is felt by the members who are then propelled into belief. On the other hand, Politics according to BrainyQuote.com is The science of government that part of ethics which has to do with the regulation and government of a nation or state, the conservation of its safety, peace, and pr osperity, the defense of its inhabitence and rights against foreign control or conquest, the augmentation its strength and re rootages, and the protection of its citizens in their rights, with the preservation and improvement of their lessons. In relations to the question, different views are advanced by different scholars in trying to give a means for fightd.First, there are those of the opinion that religion and politics should both relate and help one another like they have been doing in the other past. Second, there are those who totally countervail this family family human relationship and advocate for insularism of the state politics and religion. Third and lastly, there is a sort out of scholars who are somehow in the middle and advocate for a residuum between the two facets. We are thereof going to view all these arguments one by one. Starting with the concourse that propionate influence of religion to politics and vice versa Lerman says that religious people hav e the right to unfold their genuine opinion on politics. In U.S for example, freedom of speech and religion is protect and legalized under the composition.This, however, should be do in a cautious federal agency to suspend conflicting with other groups. With respect to this, a religious group like Buddhism, should perform in a carriage tantamount(predicate) to their group, scarce still not be in conflict with either the constitution or openly condemn other religions. In addition, neither of the religious groups should use the authority and freedom bestowed to them to impose their restrain on others. The scenario of magisterial ones authority is allegely common with Islam states as well as Christian states. An example is the domineering influence of Catholic influence in the Roman Empire which has been alleged to overstep its boundaries just in the alike way Islam is utter to impose-through jihad- its religious bedrock to people in the Middle atomic number 99 (Cox 6-8 ). Cox (3) further advances that there should be an increased influence of religion on politics since politics-by itself- cannot adequately stamp moral authority which is very requirement for a countrys growth.This, he exhibits with the dissimilar(a) cases like that of Martin Luther junior who-in bruise of not directly routing for a peculiar(a) political figure- greatly cultivated morality in politics through his numerous inspirational speeches (4-5). In making his contribution to this debate, Lormel asserts that the republic in United States stipulates freedom of religion and this should not be deterred by any political authority-or individual for that matter- since it is a built-in right. However, it is not clearly stipulated on whether religion should or should not affect politics and in his interpretation, Lormel sees this as a enterprisingness for the influence of religion on politics (3). Additionally, religions influence on politics is a moral arrangement of keeping the politicians in check. It also serves a voice for the voiceless in the ordination who-more lots than not- are eternally at the mercy of superior political classes and thereof get frequently downtrodden on.Cox (7) strongly supports this idea by saying that at that place is a larger moral purpose to open policy which goes far beyond brokerage and has to do with seeking a justice which is measured by how this party deals with those who are most vulnerable, its weakest members, and how they are dealt with. This is wherefore it is not only the right but the business of religious leaders, and of lay people in religious communities for whom this tradition is the root of their lives, to remind those in power of this stack and to do so in such a way that the pretentiousness which is often present in kings and emperors and in public policy makers is punctured. The important role con unravel by religion in diverse elections-like in the aforementioned case of President Barrack Obamas catapult to office- is seen as very fundamental by many scholars and thus greatly encouraged by them Montanaro. To such political scientist, religion plays a fundamental role in vesting of power and should therefore this role should not be stemmed out by alien politics from religion.Lormel (4) says that religion provides platform for construction a morally upright political environment just in the same way politics present a forum for instituting laws governing a country. This dual partnership is very well-informed and essential for a country and therefore, doing away with this affixation through separation of powers can be very detrimental not just to a country as an entity but even to the globe as a whole. In foreground the views of those representd to the relationship between politics and religion, Lormel (1-3) articulates that in spite of being religious, the founding fathers of America-who were responsible for establishment of constitution- saw the need for separat ion of religion and politics no wander they ensured that the constitution allowed for pluralism. This, they did, despite the fact that most of them were religious.Again, to the proponents of separation of politics from religion, this independence ensures that both of these get word aspects of the state run autonomously and thus ensuring maximum output from them (Shattuck 16-30). Epley (44-55) explicates that the separation also creates an ample environment for growth by the abstract units since they themselves know how to handle their problems. In other words, religious organizations best know how to make their problems just in the same way that political organizations know how to ardently earn their challenges or problems. Moreover, Simon reiterates that there are many countries whose governments see religious resurgence posing a serious challenge to the next shape of their societies. As a point of caution therefore, separation of religion and politics would consequently inh ibit the threat for this alleged challenge. Shattuck says that the issue of separation of the church from politics is not a new thing.Based on his circumspective studies that involved unhomogeneous subjects, Shattuck documents that issues like the state funding religious organizations has been greatly objected as it is viewed as inhibiting liberty and further favoritism. Simon goes ahead and exemplifies this alleged favoritism by saying that in spite of George pubic hairs funding of religious groups was said to be fair, most of it was-indeed- fraudulent since there is surmountable evidences that the policy greatly kick upstairs some point people who were allied to the presidentGeorge bush. Lastly, there is the group of scholars who tend to believe that striking a master balance between religion and politics is the ultimate solution. Proponents of this idea propose two ways of making this happen. First, they opine that there should be a balance in the intrinsic relationship be tween the unhomogeneous religious movements. For example, there should be a balance in the way Hindus airiness Christians and similarly, Muslims should also treat atheists with the same mixture of respect they would treat their Muslim brothers.By ensuring a balance between the various religious affiliations, the perilous competition between them will be toned down and thus making them able to tell in one voice when addressing the political arena. History abounds with several examples where people of different religious backgrounds have come together and thus resulting in a corporate resounding voice from them which has many times led to positive change in politics. Generally speaking, the church (whether Pentecostal or catholic) have always come out strongly in United States to oppose the implementation of laws like gay marriages which is an disgust in most religions. Lauritzen exemplifies this mutual relationship between different religions by citing the Evangelicals and Cath olics merger-commonly contract as ECT-in the fight against the institution of the inconstant law on abortion.In spite of the political class shortchanging the religious organizations in the fight against legalization of abortion, it can be duly noted that-for once-, a clear and unified stand was taken by the pious world. Secondly, the balance between religion and politics is proposed to take shape inform of a mutual relationship between the two facets. So mend religion will be charged with the responsibility of offering moral guidance in the political word, politics will on the other hand function to ensure freedom of religious organizations while encourage unity between them. This should be done in a fair way rather than discriminating against a particular religious group or imposing a religion just because of the relation dominance it enjoys in a region. This typesetters case of imposition-as cited earlier-is very characteristic of Christian and Islamic states. In effect, t he very essence of democracy and freedom of worship or weft gets corroded away by such actions.If the abovementioned guidelines are observed, there will be positive output from both ends without of necessity getting into from to each one one others way but rather complimenting the growth of one another (Shattuck 12-14). In summary, most scholars and researchers that I canvas tend to support the continuity in the relationship between politics and religion. A upright percentage of this proponents advocate for balance, while the rest believe that there has been a relatively good relationship between the two facets in the past and this should just continue in the same way. Of line of merchandise there is the group that opposes the mutual relationship between politics and religion through the separation of roles between the two. In as much as this proposition has not landed on deaf long time or has not been greatly contrasted by their counterparts the alleged positive results ass ociated with continuity of the mutual effect of religion and politics tends to outweigh the positives associated with separation of powers thus making the latter option less popular.3. importance of the research This research not only offers immense insights into politics and religion, it pans further into highlighting several other essential issues which-in effect makes it very important. A number of the significances of this research have been in-part mentioned or addressed above. any(prenominal) other significance includes Fundamentally, this study mentions and offers insights light upon issues like abortion, gay (same sex) marriages, terrorism, religiously brand killings e.g. Jihad among other essential subjects which are in great contention in the current world and have been big(p) to tear the victims-like America-apart (Shattuck17-18).This is far much bump than just burying our heads in the sand-like the proverbial Ostrich-hoping that the problems will fade away good-he arted of of wisely dealing with them head-on In fact, it is by highlighting such challenges that it becomes delicate to find a way of getting forward. According to the Manila Bulletin, issues to do with religion and politics were swept below the carpeting by most people and thus making it difficult for a way forward to be found. But based on the ever increasing urgency and fecundacy of these two facets with regards to other current fundamental issues it is the duty of everybody to contribute towards elevation a better worldbe it by separation of the two or their continuity. With that in mind, this study addresses this issue of politics and religion in an in-depth way thus laying a platform for others to follow suit.In addition, Simon documents that The end of the cold war left the world without an overarching narrative of good and evil and created a free market place in ideas in which any group that is sufficiently assertive and has access to media can communicate its prescript ions for the common good. As a result, some religious and political organizations have been enjoying unchecked freedom. This research therefore highlights methods in which this regulation can be donewith a balance between the two facets being the most proposed solution. This study therefore does not stop at presentation where the problem is but goes further into proposing a solution thus making the research intrinsically vital. Finally, this research is richly invest with authoritative facts, examples and even opinions which lay a foundation for future studies to be conducted by other people. Education is a continuous process and based on this proposed study, psyche else might just decide to scavenge up on a particular area and continue with researching thus education an academic empowerment.4. How does the research connect to the publications? A wide variety of literary works was used in this research. Different styles are employed in each pitch of literature that is used. Some tend to take a laid-back position by talking on a planetary way about the concerned theme. Others however go ahead and opine of what should or should be done based on evidences which they present. except still, some literatures are rigorously factual and the writers base their arguments on manifest concepts. In order to exemplify the ultimate connection between the study and the literature, it is inherent to note that most of the materials used here either emanated from political scientists or religious circles.As a result, most of the writers tend to support what they subjectively view as ideal to them and only a fistful of them circumspectly address the theme of politics and religion. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that modernism has paved way for paradigm shifts with more complex paradigms refilling the simple ones that were previously held. This shift has also had an effect on the literature with most of the current writings being more informative, incorporative and taking a current pattern. Gabler tries to aptly represent this alleged change by noting that Perhaps the single most profound change in our political culture over the last 30 years has been the transformation of conservatism from a political movement, with all the limitations, hedges and forbearances of politics, into a kind of fundamentalist religious movement, with the absolute evidence of religious belief.In exemplifying those who take a laid-back position, Shattuck (9) says that people should not worry about the mutual relationship between religion and politics since everything done by both of the facets have to be passed through the constitutional sieve which seldom goes wrong. Mella (2008) also softly contributes to the issue of religious influence in politics and accessible issues by saying that There is a wide range of views on this, but our take is that the application of precepts such as sacred Scripture or the Catechism of the Catholic Church to our politics and s ociety is healthy to the degree it isnt manipulated or garble in service to a political end. To the second category of those offering their opinion, Senator Danforth is quoted by Shattuck (8) saying I dont think people who have trench religious faith are evaluate to check their faith at the entrance when they leave their church or mosque or synagogue.Religion is something that infuses all of our lives, hopefully our ad hominem lives, our family lives, our business lives, and our political lives. The third group that represents the factual scholars is the most the trusted source of information. This is because facts are normally from authoritative sources thus giving more credibility and truth to the information. An example of factual material canvas and used in this research is the the true that a good balance between religion and politics leads to an overall free grace in the society (Orens 20-23). Shattuck (56) also lights-out into the use of facts by authoritatively stat ing that Martin Luther tabby greatly changed America in spite of never endorsing any politician from the various pulpits he was in.5. How I would conduct the research Coffey denotes that religion and politics is a fundamental pair not just in America but also in other parts of the world. It is therefore not just enough to highlight the problems associated with politics and religion but also look at the prospects of making the dream of making both percepts fully actualized. If I had funds, time and opportunity to meet the sources relevant to my study, this is how I would conduct the research My studies would mainly be focused on circumspectly highlighting the theme in question from a worldwide perspective. I would therefore accept at least 5 countries from each continent and do an in-depth digest of the various religious and political systems in place. In addition, I would ensure that amongst the five countries, there is a good representation of create and developing countries.Th is is very important in knowing what roles religion and politics have played in such countries. Yet still, I would make sure that the countries selected are polytheists or have several religious groups so as to ardently get accurate, informative and representative results. In Africa for example, I would select to the south Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. With the exception of Zimbabwe, all these countries are still developing with South Africa being the most developed. The prime(prenominal) of a country like Nigeria is based on the many religious factions that are present in the country and the constant debates that have been allegedly going there in the recent past so as to either join or cave in religion and politics. The political system of brass instrument in such countries is also very important for the studies i.e. whether dictatorial, authoritarian or autocratic.In Zimbabwe for instance, the political leadership of Mugabe has been greatly criticized for negati vely impacting social and religious aspects of the country the choice of such a country for this study would therefore provide a very interesting analytical angle for the research. There are various data accumulation methods that are normally used in various studies. However, since this research is passing prolific and requires substantial answers, it is very important that the methods used for data collection are highly inclusive. Primarily, I would conduct a check up on on the countries in question so as to get adequate knowledge and information that will help me in the study. These interviews would be focused on religious and political leaders as well as historians who are viable and presumable sources of information. The reason for the preference of interviews and questionnaires during the survey is because they allow for easy referencing and sufficient future analysis (Cano).Of course the nature of questions used in data collection will be simple so as to awake lucid answe rs from the interviewees. Secondarily, I would use library materials-books, articles, journals-, online resources, governmental and non-governmental archives among many others. In order to ensure that the research gives as much information as mathematical to readers, I would make certain that disinterest and objectivity is ardently observed end-to-end the study duration. This is because any minor overhaul in concentration can intercept with whole process thus jeopardizing the advantage of the study. Conclusion In my opinion, both politics and religion play important roles to each other and thus delinking them would rather set down rather than build countries. Of course the collaboration between the two also has some relative negative effects (Simon).This should however not stand in the way of the immense benefits that the mutual relationship between the two precepts. In addition, despite the norm in life that the majority always gets things done their way, a balance should ex ist between the various religious factions just in the same way a balance should exist between the relations of politics and religion. If this is done, there will be ultimate respect between all he involved parties thus procreation an environment for growth in each country.