Roger Trigg
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199543670
- eISBN:
- 9780191701313
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199543670.003.0008
- Subject:
- Religion, Philosophy of Religion, Religion and Society
This chapter examines whether or not democracy should be religiously neutral. A democratic country is one in which the government is answerable to the people. Freedom to choose a government is linked ...
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This chapter examines whether or not democracy should be religiously neutral. A democratic country is one in which the government is answerable to the people. Freedom to choose a government is linked to the freedom to choose a religion. However, religious freedom is not a mere by-product of democracy. Religion demands utmost commitment, but it goes beyond one's own understanding. The second part of the chapter looks into the values of truth and freedom in religions. The third section examines the religious authority by citing Unitarianism, Congregationalism, and the example of the Republic of Mordova. The last section differentiates between the principles of a moral government and a moral one.Less
This chapter examines whether or not democracy should be religiously neutral. A democratic country is one in which the government is answerable to the people. Freedom to choose a government is linked to the freedom to choose a religion. However, religious freedom is not a mere by-product of democracy. Religion demands utmost commitment, but it goes beyond one's own understanding. The second part of the chapter looks into the values of truth and freedom in religions. The third section examines the religious authority by citing Unitarianism, Congregationalism, and the example of the Republic of Mordova. The last section differentiates between the principles of a moral government and a moral one.
