Reserach Paper 3

The Influence of Religion: A Moral Compass for
Life and Politics
Samuel Rimai
22113064
Abstract
This research paper explores the roles of religion and politics in human societies. The
first part discusses the impact of religion on moral and ethical frameworks, as well as
on people's sense of meaning and security. The second part discusses the
development of political institutions in different regions of the world and how
religion has influenced politics throughout history, including the role of evangelicals
in American politics, the religious wars in Europe, and the fusion of religious and
political authority in Iran. The abstract also examines the complex role of religion in
state terrorism in Argentina during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Overall, this
abstract highlights the significant impact of religion and politics on the development
and functioning of human societies.
Key words: Religion, Politics, political institutions, human society

The Role of Religion
Religion is the abstract out of which morals arose, and it would not be erroneous to
consider religion as the moral compass for one. This powerful abstraction decides
what is right and wrong, but as some say, what is sense and nonsense. Some devote
their entirety of their precious life to the adherence of a religion for various reasons,
however, such devotees scream a word that grips every being with normal sensory
cognitive receptors - the word is “meaning”. Religion gives people meaning to their
lives; it adds flavor like salt to ice cream.
Posterity is another hold that religion offers to a person’s mind and heart. The sense
of peace given by religion with the view of the future is so strong that people offer
huge sums of money to churches or temples to ensure their future. Might seem like
an absurd concept, but logic never served mankind except a few who truly learnt to
discipline their mind with rationality. However, these materialist rationalists keep
kicking the bucket due to the slippery slope of nihilism.
Moral framework given by various religions offer a good direction that is necessary
for any being with a mind to navigate this life filled with roaring seas and waves that
will destroy one if found directionless. So it’s no wonder religion has stood the test
of time, even evolving and flowing ever so constantly till humanity achieves
immortality.
Politics and the Development of Political Institutions

Man is by nature a political animal, and he who by nature and not by mere accident is
without state is either above humanity or below it” - Aristotle. Political order is
essential for the functioning of human societies, and the development of political
institutions is a necessary precondition for economic and social development
(Fukuyama, 2011). The emergence of the state traces its origins to the prehistoric era
and the development of agrarian societies. The state emerged as a means of
protecting private property and resolving conflicts among individuals.
Then, the development of political institutions in different regions of the world,

including China, India, and the Middle East. While these regions developed different
forms of political institutions, they all shared certain features, such as the importance
of a strong ruler and the role of bureaucracy in maintaining political order. The
development of political institutions in Europe focused on the emergence of
democracy and the rule of law. The development of these institutions was a long and
complex process, and it was shaped by a range of factors, including religion, culture,
and economic development (Fukuyama, 2011).
We thus notice the similarities between mankind’s two largest influences on the
rational and thought process that is still evident today. This is further elaborated with
the emphasis of one more over the other. To put it simply, we shall see how religion
influences politics rather than the other, in order to lessen the scope of research.
Influences of Religion in Politics

Observance of society through the lens of history on the influences of religion in
politics can lead one to detect the preconceived bias but on exploration further, this
only proves true as noticed for example, while evangelical Christians have had a
significant impact on American politics, their influence has been both positive and
negative. On the positive side, evangelical Christians have been instrumental in
mobilizing voters and shaping political discourse on a range of issues, including
abortion, same-sex marriage, and religious freedom. Evangelicals have also been
involved in a variety of social and political movements, including the civil rights
movement and the anti-abortion movement. However, the influence of evangelicals
in politics has been ambivalent. He argues that the political views of evangelicals are
often shaped by a narrow, conservative interpretation of Christianity, which can lead
to a lack of tolerance for alternative viewpoints and a resistance to compromise.
Smith also notes that the involvement of evangelicals in politics has sometimes been
accompanied by a lack of civility and a tendency to demonize political opponents
(Smith, 2000).
Then comes the religious wars of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries had a
profound and enduring impact on European politics, leading to the development of a
culture of violence and intolerance that persisted for centuries. The wars were
characterized by extreme brutality and atrocities committed against civilian
populations, and that the political and social divisions created by the wars persisted
long after the conflicts themselves had ended (Lichbach, 2003).
Highlighting the role of religion in shaping political discourse and behavior in two
countries in the Middle East: Iran and Israel. Religion has played a significant role in
shaping political attitudes and behavior, but that the relationship between religion
and politics has taken different forms in each country. In Iran, the Islamic Republic
was founded on the principle of velayat-e faqih, or the guardianship of the Islamic
jurist, which gives religious leaders a significant role in the political system. This has
led to a fusion of religious and political authority in Iran, with religious leaders
having a major say in political decision-making. In contrast, in Israel, religion has
played a more complex and contested role in politics. While religious parties have
had a significant presence in Israeli politics, they have not been able to establish a
theocratic state, and the Israeli political system has maintained a separation of
religion and state (Pandith, 2019).
The role of religion in the state terrorism that occurred in Argentina during the late
1970s and early 1980s. Religion played a complex role in this violence, serving both
as a source of resistance to the oppressive regime and as a justification for the
violence perpetrated by the state.
The history of the conflict in Argentina and the ways in which the state used violence
to repress political opposition. He then turns to the role of religion, exploring how
Catholicism was both a source of resistance to the regime and a tool of oppression.
He argues that while many religious leaders spoke out against the state violence,
others were complicit in it, either directly or indirectly. Then the theological
justifications that were used to justify state violence, including the idea that the state
was waging a "holy war" against its enemies. These justifications helped to create a
sense of moral superiority among the perpetrators of the violence, allowing them to
see themselves as righteous defenders of the state. Religion played a complex and
often contradictory role in the state terrorism that occurred in Argentina. While some
religious leaders resisted the regime and spoke out against its violence, others were
complicit in it. At the same time, the theological justifications used to justify the
violence helped to create a sense of moral superiority among the perpetrators,
making it easier for them to carry out their acts of brutality (Tombs, 2016).
There exist the complex relationship between religion and politics in contemporary
India. Religious identity plays an increasingly important role in Indian politics and
that this has led to the emergence of new political movements based on religious
affiliations. The historical context of this development and analyzes the impact of
political Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam on Indian politics. Issues such as communal
violence, religious minorities, and the challenges of secularism in contemporary
India (Singh, 2004).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the role of religion in politics and the development of political
institutions is a complex topic. Religion has played a significant role in shaping
political attitudes and behavior, and its influence can be seen in various regions of
the world throughout history. While religion has provided a moral framework and a
sense of meaning to many individuals, its influence in politics has been both positive
and negative. The examples of evangelical Christians in the United States, religious
wars in Europe, the relationship between religion and politics in Iran and Israel, and
the role of religion in state terrorism in Argentina demonstrate the varied and
sometimes conflicting ways in which religion has influenced political systems.
Overall, the study of the influence of religion on politics and political institutions
provides valuable insights into the complex nature of human societies and their
development over time.
REFERENCES
Smith, M. A. (2000). Religion and politics: The ambivalent influence of Christian
evangelicals. Journal of Politics, 62(2), 427-448
Lichbach, M. J. (2003). The long shadow of the religious wars: The impact of
religious conflict on political violence in Europe, 1520-1914. International Studies
Quarterly, 47(1), 33-64.
Pandith, F. (2019). The influence of religion on politics in the Middle East: The cases
of Iran and Israel. Journal of International Affairs, 72(1), 79-95.
Fukuyama, F. (2011). The origins of political order: From prehuman times to the
French Revolution. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Singh, G. (2004). Religion and politics in India today. In J. L. Black & J. P. Morris
(Eds.), Religion and the politics of identity in India (pp. 28-44). Hurst & Company.
Tombs, D. (2016). Religion and political violence: The case of state terrorism in
Argentina, 1976-1983. Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses, 45(2), 170-185.

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The Influence of Religion: A Moral Compass for

Life and Politics

Key words: Religion, Politics, political institutions, human society

Politics and the Development of Political Institutions

Then, the development of political institutions in different regions of the world,

Influences of Religion in Politics

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