The relationship between religion and politics is normally interpreted differently by different people due to the presence of a wide gap between religion and politics.
However, the most important aspect of religion is that it plays an important role in the world of politics. Religion has been used for many years to legitimize regimes, build support for social movements, deflect social complaints, and also to provide definition and understanding of justice (Allen-Dell’Amor par. 1). The relationship between religion and politics is dependent on the type of religion and political system in question.
Most nations in the modern world have put up measures aimed at separating religion and the state. However, this has been almost impossible due to the fact that there are myriads of religious aspects that have been borrowed by the state. Religion has been used by many politicians to assert their influence on the people.
In the United States when the 2012 presidential campaigns were underway, Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum came up with policies based on religious beliefs. He believed that the Republican Party was on the side of God (Allen-Dell’Amor par. 2). Religion has great influence in the moral thinking of people and thus affects how people view political policies. Throughout President Bushâs term, he based most of his principles on religion.
United States is one of the few countries that have the oldest democracies in the world. Religion is still a major influence in political decision making. The influence of religion in politics is undeniable. However, these influences can either be positive or negative. This depends on how religion is used to influence politics. Politicians are known to use religious excuses when advancing their political agenda (Johnstone 198).
Politics are controlled by the constitution. Most of the information found in the constitution is based on some religious background. The ethical issues, moral obligations, justice and several other aspects of the constitution have religious inclinations.
The use of the constitution in managing a countryâs politics therefore incorporates religion into politics. Most constitutions are religious in nature. For instance, the swearing functions of political officers require the use of religious books and religious statements. For a United States president to assume power, he or she must be sworn in using a Bible and the mention of the word âGodâ in the swearing in statements is very conspicuous (Allen-Dell’Amor par. 4).
The current world has witnessed reduced religious influenced in politics as the world becomes more secular than it used to be in the past century. The increased level of secularism has tried to separate religion from state. Politicians who are not religious can now be voted into offices.
Besides, religious leaders no longer influence political directions (Norris and Inglehart 25). In any case, the current world religions have influence on politics although the influence is not as strong as it used to be a century ago. Religious subjectivity has also reduced across the world. This has resulted into minimal influence of religion on peopleâs lives.
The influence which the clergy had in state affairs has declined significantly especially in the industrialized and democratic nations (Norris and Inglehart 25). Currently, religion is still influential among people from poor countries since they are the majority in the world.
It will be wrong to conclude that religious influence in the world politics will be completely eradicated since most people still have strong religious affiliations. Therefore, religion will always be part and parcel of politics. The only issue of importance is that the world has come up with two major groups namely the believers and the non-believers. As a result, there is increase in the gap between these two extreme groups (Norris and Inglehart 25).
Religious fundamentalism
The word âfundamentalismâ is normally used when referring to a requirement by a group to firm devotion to certain theological principles (Global researcher 11). Modernization and e globalization have had a negative effect on fundamentalism. This has weakened people from observing religious doctrines although modernist theology has continually increased in terms of influence. Fundamentalism is still being observed by several people around the world.
Fundamentalists have a strong belief in their religions and the Holy Scriptures (Johnstone, 164). Hence, they possess a strong desire of replacing the current secular law with a law that is more religious (Global researcher 1). This has resulted into cropping up of some religious extremists all over the world. Such individuals inflict harm on others in the pretext of religion. The world is currently undergoing sporadic changes some of which have been influenced by religion (Global researcher 1).
Before the pre-modern era, religious fundamentalism was a way of life for many societies around the world. When modernization and secularism became pronounced across the globe, the impact of fundamentalism had significantly reduced in many nations. Analysis of fundamentalism in the modern world reveals the presence of religious fundamentalists in all the worldâs major religions (Global researcher 5).
The principles that are observed by these religious followers may be different in some cases although they share other beliefs that define their fundamentalism ideals. Their views on aspects such as abortion, homosexuality, adultery, feminism, and science reveal a lot of similarities and differences.
Political liberalists do not advocate for fundamentalism. They associate bad aggressive behaviors such as extremist with fundamentalism. This argument may possess some backing due to the recent attacks by Muslim extremists on Christian nations and the infiltration of Israelites into Palestine. Most acts of war and terrorism in the world are linked to religion and fundamentalism (Global researcher 4).
Religious fundamentalism influences the social and political practices of any society (Global researcher 20). For example, the dressing code, gender roles, marriage, and the rule of law are some of the aspects that are influenced by fundamentalism. The levels of influence of fundamentalism on human life are widespread and cannot be discussed exhaustively. This spans from the American world and Europe.
On the other hand, Christian fundamentalists are dominant in Africa, the Middle and Far East. As much as the world is becoming secular, fundamentalism has become more intense since the past 30 years (Global researcher 4). The number of fundamentalists is regularly increasing. The problem is that as these numbers increase, there are increasing instances of violent attacks on other groups or non-believers.
Fundamentalism in the world began in the 16th century. It was later amplified in the 19th and 20th centuries when political leaders approved the existence of state religions (Global researcher 14). This gave fundamentalists more power and vigor to spread their influence. The decline of religious influences in state affairs across the world came with radical fundamentalists since secularism was seen as un-Godly.
This explains why the fundamentalists decided to take such dangerous measures in an attempt to restore the influence of religion in society. Some fundamentalists often go an extent of misinterpreting the Holy Scriptures in an attempt to justifying their deeds. Currently, fundamentalism has more negative effects compared to the positive effects that are known to humanity.
Works Cited
Allen-Dell’Amor, Julene, Book Review: How Does Religion Influence Politics. 2012. Web.
Global researcher. Religious Fundamentalism: Exploring International Perspectives. 2009. Web.
Johnstone, Ronald. Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion. New York: Prentice Hall, 2006. Print.
Norris, Pippa and Ronald, Inglehart. Sacred and Secular: Religion and Politics Worldwide, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004. Print.