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Homepage > Projects > Forum 2000 Conferences > 2009 > Summaries > Religion and Democracy

Religion and Democracy

Moderator: William Cook
Participants: Michael Novak, David Rosen, Prince Norodom Sirivudh, Tomáš Halík, Mohammed Said Al-Touraihi

13th October 2009, Žofín Palace
 

The speakers addressed the issue of separating the church and state with its different forms and implications. They also looked at religion as the basis of a functioning democracy or as a sociological phenomenon in the state system.

Michael Novak, American theologian and political scientist focused his keynote speech on the idea that religion, freedom and democracy are inherently linked stressing that “the spirit of religion and the spirit of liberty go together”. Drawing from de Tocqueville’s conception of church and politics, he elaborated on the thought that all practice of democracy has "pre-political roots" which is where religion stands. The “political task of religion is to give us understanding of human rights”.

With view to the millions of people suffering under tyrannical regimes, now is the time for all religions to explore the path towards greater freedom, Michael Novak said. He asserted that all of the world religions can bring something fresh to democracy, especially as "we are not yet at the end of discovering its riches”. The value of religion here is in preventing relativism and decadence, when “it becomes difficult to speak of good or evil” and in giving a meaning to life. Novak also pointed out that religions adapt to secularism better than secularism does to religion.

In his presentation, David Rosen, former Chairman of the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations, also subscribed to Novak’s idea that all religions affirm the dignity of the human person, where dignity is seen as the freedom of choice and when “the individual is responsible for his own actions”. In this sense democracy serves as a framework to “maximize dignity”. He also added that identity provided by religion has to be present otherwise, “we are easy victims to manipulation from outside”.

David Rosen also brought up the issue of the challenge to democracy posed by religious communities and systems, historically not part of its development. In order for these to “open out” and contribute positively to the larger group, there is a need for the feeling of "security" within the wider identity framework, otherwise there is a danger of developing an "insecurity complex". “The challenges are far more sociological rather than theological.”
Prince Norodom Sirivudh of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace spoke from the point of view of a political practitioner rather than an expert on religion. He raised the idea of the constitution being at the heart of every state’s approach to religion, and reflected on the notion of a “state religion”, expressing uncertainty as to whether this is right or wrong. With regards to the link between religion and democracy, he compared the Czech and South American political regimes. Despite the 60% of non-affiliated citizens, the Czechs have managed to build and maintain democracy, whereas in South America where religion holds a stronger position, one finds many authoritarian regimes.

Similarly to Michael Novak, Prince Norodom Sirivudh concluded by saying that religion must bring a contribution to the state - each having their role to play. When “politics do not go forward”, religion must be the way to common understanding, despite religion also being the source of division at times. Religion must act as a counterbalance and “extend when totalitarianism strive for power”.
Tomáš Halík, President of the Czech Christian Academy, believes that attempts to strictly separate state and church may produce undesirable phenomena, warning of secularism becoming a “pseudo-religion”. He stressed that this separation cannot become a paradigm for the relationship between religion and politics in general, neither a model to be applied in the same way across the global level. “The role of the state is changing as the role of religion is”, “national states no longer have a monopoly on religion”. However, it is important to promote faith and trust to sustain credibility of both the state and religion using a "specific language". Halík would like to see the process of globalization turn into a “process of communication”.

From the point of view of Mohammed Said Al-Touraihi, Chairman of the Kufa Academy for Oriental Studies, “there is no contradiction between democracy and religion”. He sees the problem rather in the interpretation of religious texts, which are themselves full of democratic principles. This is because “what democracy promotes is common also for all religions” despite the fact that “different communities are different”. One of the ways of overcoming obstacles is to ensure that there is more respect among religions. In his words, “without religious and democratic values we cannot create moral society based on higher values”.

William Cook, Professor at State University of New York, concluded in conjunction with Tocqueville’s thoughts by warning against the danger to democracy posed by the short-sighted behavior of individuals seeking immediate satisfaction. By contrast, “religion instills in people the long vision that is necessary in democracy” as “religions provide enduring, substantial values”.

2009

Supported by

Nippon Foundation

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