Religion and Politics Religion Today Thesis

Examples where religion has become intersected with politics are present throughout the entire history, and in more recent years, include the debates on same sex marriages or on abortion.

A more specific look at the relationship between politics and religion has revealed at least three points of intersection -- the role of churches, the evolution of human rights and the emergence and impacts of religious conflicts. In terms of the role of churches, these generally insufflate moral ideals and values to their churchgoers, which in turn become more involved in the political act and strive to implement the norms of morality and dignity. On the other hand however, by promoting these values at a community level and becoming engaged in voluntary work for churches, individuals miss out on the political practice.Secondly, in terms of human rights, these have been forwarded by religion and have evolved in the same ascendant direction as the role of religion in the political act. Finally, relative to religious conflicts, these occurred since early history and have generated a series of political implications, such a reallocation of national budgets or a reprioritization of political decisions at a national and international level.

References:

Bruce, I., January 25, 2008, 72,000 American Casualties: Toll of War on Terror, the Herald (Scotland Herald)

Campbell, D.E., 2004, Acts of Faith: Churches and Political Engagement, Political Behavior, Vol. 26, No. 2

Demerath, N.J., 2007, Introduction: Religion, Politics and the State, at Home and Abroad, Sociology of Religion, Vol. 68

Rieffer, B.A., 2006, Religion, Politics and Human Rights: Understanding the.....