The Religious Principles of Regulating the Social Life

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Religion as the social phenomenon is closely associated with all the spheres of the public’s life within the society, including politics and economy. Religion is connected with politics in relation to regulating the public’s life with references to the religious principles as doctrines. On the one hand, politicians often use religion to support their position, intensify their impact, and provide the necessary social changes basing on the idea of justice from the religious perspective.

On the other hand, religious visions adopted and developed within the definite society can influence politics and approaches used by authorities to overcome political issues. In spite of the fact the religious and political principles to regulate the social life are different, both the religious and political systems develop within the definite society, and this fact explains the relationship between religion and politics.

At first sight, politics is based on the idea of secularization as one of the main characteristic features of the modern society. That is why, the religious principles can be discussed as opposite to the development of the political system. Nevertheless, there are certain theocratic states where the political system depends on religion. Thus, the question can be discussed from many perspectives, and the connection of religion and politics is rather obvious.

However, religion can be used as the supportive factor to contribute to the political growth or as the opposition to the political regime in the state (Johnstone, 2007). Although the relationship between religion and politics can be based on positive or negative background, it is impossible to reject the impact of religion on politics. Religion and politics are only partially separated and can affect each other significantly.

The separation of religion and politics with references to the question of secularization is one of the most discussed issues in the sphere of the contemporary sociology. According to Johnstone, religion and politics should be discussed as connected social institutions which include subgroups within the same society; they are based on the similar norms, and as a result, interact with each another involving the same people (Johnstone, 2007, p. 150-154).

Moreover, religion follows those sociological principles and laws which are directly associated with the sphere of politics. In addition, religion affects politics providing the possibilities for forming the sustainable development, basing on the religious principles and norms.

Religion is the effective tool to control the social life with the help of the religious norms and rules used in the definite society. Following the religious rules, people are more inclined to refer to strict social norms and laws developed within the society. From this point, religion can affect politics positively, contributing to the development of the definite political system in spite of the tendencies to discuss secularization as the factor of the social determination and evolution (Putnam & Campbell, 2010).

Thus, religious people are considered as more obedient to follow the rules and norms imposed on them by the authorities. It is possible to speak about religion as the positive factor to develop the public’s patriotism. However, there are viewpoints that extreme religious ideas can become the real threat for the political regime which is significantly influenced by religion.

Political instability can also depend on the uncertainness of citizens in relation to their religious views. From this point, religion is important to build the strong political system in the country. Jonhstone states that people’s choices in relation to politicians and parties are based on their religious visions, their beliefs in the sacred and good.

That is why, politicians pay much attention to their religious visions during the campaigns and elections, and religion can influence the people’s voting pattern (Johnstone, 2007, p. 150-152). Thus, religion and politics are closely connected because of their dependence on the people’s social behavior, attitudes, and beliefs.

Concentrating on the idea that modern politics is more dependent on secularization than on the traditional religious visions, it is necessary to refer to the concept of fundamentalism. Johnstone states that “fundamentalism has become a major consideration in describing religion in society and the impact of religion on society.

In such analysis, fundamentalism is immediately recognized as much more than a collection of theological views” (Johnstone, 2007, p. 180). Fundamentalism can be defined as the concentration on the absolute adherence to definite religious doctrines, norms, and principles with references to the role of religion in the modern society and political life.

Religious fundamentalists focus on the fact that there are scriptures according to which the certain religion should develop, and the people’s task is to follow only the strict ideas presented in these scriptures as the truth. From this perspective, religious fundamentalists are usually concerned about the role of secularization in the modern world and pay attention to the traditional views, beliefs, and doctrines.

The ideas presented in the sacred texts are discussed by religious fundamentalists as the single source of the truth. The uncompromising nature of fundamentalism makes sociologists discuss the phenomenon as a kind of a threat for the peaceful development of the society. Today, fundamentalism is typical for Protestants in the USA, for the people who follow the religious principles of Judaism and Islam.

For instance, Protestants focus on fundamentalism as the way to reject the ideas of secularization. Different science theories and sociological discussions became a source of concerns for the fundamentalists because the followership in relation to the religious views was not as obvious as it was earlier. The main religious doctrines were challenged with references to the science. As a result, fundamentalists concentrated on the promotion of the religious visions, provoking conflicts within society (Johnstone, 2007).

Modern religious fundamentalists are often as conservative in their political position as in their religious visions. Modernity is associated with secularization, and the main goal of fundamentalists is to stop the process and respond to the strict religious doctrines based on the scriptures and traditional visions.

Thus, religion influences politics and determines the approaches according to which definite laws, principles, and regulations can be followed by people with references to their religious views. The modern society is secular in its nature that is why religion cannot influence all the aspects of the social life significantly.

However, the impact is observed, and it is impossible to discuss politics as the social institution without its relationship with religion as the social phenomenon. There are situations when people discuss religion as the main factor to determine the aspects of the social life and politics.

These people are religious fundamentalists who are inclined to reject the main ideas of secularization and follow the traditional doctrines. The role of religious fundamentalists is not limited by the religious and social sphere because they are often representatives of the conservative forces in the political life of the society.

References

Johnstone, R. (2007). Religion in society: A sociology of religion. USA: Pearson, Prentice-Hall.

Putnam, R., & Campbell, D. (2010). American grace: How religion divides and unites us. USA: Simon & Schuster.

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The Religious Principles of Regulating the Social Life

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