Religion, politics and the law should be allowed to mix

Essay by pjvscubaUniversity, Bachelor'sA+, March 2009

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Religion, politics, and the law core elements of social structure that share an essential and complex relationship. Despite a few historical dysfunctions, religion, law, and politics continue to be, even in a post-modern world, a crucial matrimony of a culturally robust society. Moreover, the coexistence of religion, law, and politics are far from being mutually exclusive, and can in fact support each other.

Law is a system of rules, usually enforced through a set of institutions, which shape politics, economics, and society. In addition, law enforcement is a cultural device through which a nation carries out self-protective or repressive policies. The evolution of religious, social and political perspectives produce different political leaders throughout time; as a result, laws evolve in all societies.

Politics is the social authority and force of a government, which affect internal and external affairs. Politics allocates power, determines authority, and prevents chaos through sanctions and laws.

Through political tactics, a government implements a standard of ethics for public behavior and public administration.

The French Sociologist Emile Durkheim (1912/1965) defined religion by three elements: Beliefs that are sacred, practices and rituals centering on things considered sacred, and finally a moral community, like a church, resulting from a group's beliefs and practices. In summary, religion is a systematic theory that is esteemed worthy of respect or dedication by a congregated group of people.

The topic 'Religion, law, and politics should they be allowed to mix' does not pose questions of the functionality of their union. According to the American Heritage Dictionary (2006), 'should' is used to "express probability or expectation." It is very probable that religion, law, and politics will mix. In fact, they already do - according to Durkheim's definition of religion.

The first element of Durkheim's definition sates that religion is a collection of sacred beliefs.