Re: Is religion antithetical to democracy [formerly: Are Islam and Democracy Incompatible?]

It depends on the religion.  If the goal of the religion is to convert
all mankind, as Fundimental Christianity is, then yes.  If on the
other hand, the religion is very live and let live, such as Wicca,
then no.

Democracy as it exists in the USA says tolerate all religions. However
a basic conflict arises when the religion in question says - do not
tolerate other religions.

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 21:54:22 -0500, David H Li <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:

>I rarely sign on to this (alt.philosophy) newsgroup.  Thus, please excuse me if
>this post is out of line.
>On Thursday, 11/20/03, a letter to the editor in the Washington Post has, as its
>second sentence, the following: "Religion is antithetical to democracy."  That
>day, it so happens that, at the Library of Congress (where I go about once a
>week to do research), there was a panel discussion, by four presidential
>biographers (Adam, Jefferson, Lincoln, Ford) on their respective subjects.  I
>almost attempted to ask a question, but restrained myself -- the question would
>be "Is religion antithetical to democracy?  Does the fact that many "founding
>fathers" were deists (Washington, Jefferson, Franklin) have anything to do with
>a lack of mention of Christianity as USA's state religion?"  From reading this
>thread, SDR gave an excellent account; jimmy's post prompts me to submit the
>above. Any comments?  David Li