Religion and politics. Do they mix?

The proper relationship of religion and political life in a pluralistic society has always been a very thorny question. And a very delicate and complicated one.

It is a question that many who are interested in this field ask but are never able to reach a consensus on.

We must ask ourselves whether, in a pluralistic society as ours, it is appropriate for citizens to argue on religious grounds for the political positions they favour. Are such grounds for argument compatible with a liberal democratic tradition? Why should citizens who are members of a religious group be required to set their faith aside when entering the political arena?

Certainly they should respect the freedom and integrity of conscience of those who are not their co-religionists.

But are not their own freedom and integrity violated if they think that their faith is of import for political life and they are prevented from acting on that conviction?

One of the basic principles of democracy is that the political process ought to reflect the views of all citizens. Why should the political process not reflect religiously based political views as political views formed on non religious grounds?

Might such reliance, despite the dangers inherent in it, be necessary to the maintenance and development of liberal democratic values? What position should we take with regard to religious political discourse?

The matter of religion and politics is complex, not simple, though it may sometimes appear simple to the simple-minded.