Religion and politics: how our beliefs impact the world around us
Written by Lote Līva Leimane
Edited by Megan Scott
*This is a fact-checked piece*
The relationship between religion and politics has been very intricate and complicated since the very beginning and has been a hot debate topic because of its delicate nature. Some people believe that religion has no place in politics and that the two should be separated completely. Some believe that religion is the centre of everything, therefore we should base our political decisions on religious teachings. But is there middle ground? Can we find a way to respect everyone's opinions and needs and create policies that do not harm others beliefs?
First of all, it is very important to understand how the beliefs and spiritual practices of each individual affect our decisions and how we run our governments and shape our societies. This impacts the rules, societal norms and every day decisions. For example, in many ancient civilisations, rulers claimed their authority over their citizens through divine right which means they believed that they are the chosen ones and appointed by the gods. A great example of this is Egypt. The pharaohs were considered as the embodiment of the god Horus during their reign, and their rule was legitimised through religious rituals and beliefs and people respected and feared them since they were not like one of them.
Religious institutions like the Catholic church used to hold significant influence in the mediaeval times over political affairs and leaders used this as a way to legitimise their rule. The Church played a crucial role in legitimising the feudal system and the divine right of kings. Laws and governance structures were frequently intertwined with religious beliefs and practices. Kings would have to try to be in the good graces of the church, otherwise they could be overthrown by someone else in their bloodline who is favoured by the church. The church was also a big patron of arts, architecture, and education during the Middle Ages. Monasteries and cathedrals were in the centre of learning and this church controlled intellectual discourse has shaped the worldview and values of European societies today.
The separation of politics and religion has been a gradual and complex process, there was not one single event that created the separation, it was many different events and movements that made that possible over years. Some of the key historic developments of the separation are- Enlightenment, Protestant Reformation and Globalisation and Pluralism.
It is also very important to note that over time the dynamic of this relationship between politics and religion has changed according to the times. In some points, religion dictates the politics, but in some cases it can be the other way around. Politics forcing the church to back them. Putin and the Orthodox Church in Russia. Putin is not religious yet the Orthodox church supports him. Why? Great question. That's where political power stands over religious power. He is using his power to get the church to use their power to win people over.
Nowadays, most states are not governed by politics influenced by religion, however, there are some countries that do work like that.
Iran is a prime example of a state where politics are heavily influenced by religious beliefs. The country's political system is relying on the principles of Shia Islam with the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who holds all of the authority. Islamic law, or Sharia, plays a central role in legislation and governance. The opposite of Iran, a country that has almost no religious involvement in their politics is Japan. In Japan there is a clear separation between religion and state and religious beliefs have very little direct impact on policy making. The country has a rich religious heritage including Shintoism and Buddhism, but they do not interfere with the country's politics.
When talking about the influence of religion in politics it is important to know the term religious fundamentalism. This refers to the phenomenon where political ideologies and agendas are strongly influenced by interpretations of religious scripts and religious beliefs. This integration of religion in politics often leads to prioritisation of religious doctrine over human rights and democratic principles. This creates big problems since most countries have religious pluralism and having policies based on a specific religion will not work out.
Overall, it is clear that religion will always try to find its way into politics and it might work in some places since many countries, for example middle eastern and African countries, consist of many different religions that have been trapped together by European drawn borders so fundamentalist approaches to politics will not end well and will create chaos. A great quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes "Your rights end where my rights begin'' is something that policy makers should keep in mind while trying to guide themselves through the jungle that is the search for a balance between their beliefs and politics. Not everyone has the same beliefs and the same idea of what the truth is.