Democratic Governments and Religious Conflict By T.S. Khanna

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May 11, 2015

Democratic Governments and Religious Conflict

By T.S. Khanna, May 11, 2015

Democratic governments are at a historical pivot point marked by hope v/s disaster.  They are confronting the disturbing realities of conflicting religious beliefs v/s the freedom of religion and privacy as the cherished value of democracy.  When religious groups act as political groups, they weaken the wall of separation between religion and government.

The foundation of democracy is laid on the premise that varying interests of different segments of population can be resolved by rational discussions and give-take compromises in pursuit of the common good.

Experience indicates that, except for religious differences, compromises are possible on most other issues.  Amongst the echoes of conflicting religious values, vision of common good becomes blurred.

To prevent the blood shedding religious conflicts, democratic governments need to scrutinize the conflicting religious values.  Intellectual investigation and dialectical discussion, not partisan bickering, can help explore timely adjustments in democratic ideals.

In the wake of advancing technology, it is a compelling time for democratic governments to revisit democratic ideology to its very roots to discover and plant the needed adjustments.  Such adjustments may require certain innovative enforceable values to be included in the constitution, so that no citizen, regardless of his/her religion, may escape responsibility and accountability under the guise of religious freedom and privacy.

Democracy is fragile.  Without timely adjustments, we may lose it all.