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

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Kate ) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> 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.
> 

Democracy, as  a means of making decisions, has nothing to do with the
freedom of individuals within the society to act as they wish. As long
as the sanctions of the religion do not overlap the sanctions of the
state, there is no inherent conflict.
There can certainly be a democratic and secular state which imposes
restrictions on citizens indistinguishable from those of religion. The
USA, for example, could outlaw homosexual sex whether the
fundamentalists existed or not. It is the constitution which protects
the rights, not democracy.

Remember, the Pope is elected. I just thought of this while
writing---does this mean that God influences the cardinals, or would
the UN certify the election as fair? Too confusing; I'll stick to the
constitution.

-tg 
 







> 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