Religious democracy

Religious democracy is a form of government where the values of a particular religion affect laws and rules. This term is most often used when a majority of a state's population has one religion.

Democracies are characterized as secular or religious.

Criticism

Two major criticisms of religious democracy are widespread

• From the Secular point of view, the ideals of a democratic society and a secular state are essential. Therefore the principle of separation of religion and state is required to protect freedom from tyranny.

• From the Legal point of view, democracy can never enjoy general acceptance in a religious society. Anything outside of rigid interpretation of religious texts is rejected and God rather than the people is sovereign.

Examples

Historical democracies with state sponsored religious laws:

• Athenian democracy (Ancient Greek religion)
• Roman Republic (Ancient Roman religion)
• Buddhist ganarajyas
• Icelandic Commonwealth (Norse paganism, after AD 1000 Christianity)
• Old Swiss Confederacy (Christianity)

Contemporary democracies with state religions:

• Christian:
  • Greece, Argentina, Denmark, Norway, United Kingdom
• Islamic:
  • Bangladesh, Malaysia
• Jewish:
  • Israel
• Buddhist:
  • Bhutan

Contemporary states with state religions that claim to be democratic but are not recognised as such by the international community:

• Christian:
  • Armenia
• Islamic:
  • Iran

See also

• Theodemocracy
• Basic Laws of Israel
• Christian democracy
• Clash of Civilizations
• Dialogue Among Civilizations
• Institute on Religion and Democracy
• Islamic democracy