Politics and Religion. Some Considerations on Tolerance and Relativism in Democracy.
Giuseppe Ieraci
The essay addresses the general theme of the relationship between religion and politics. It is initially argued that the values and symbols connected to the religious sphere (i.e., those promoting social and religious identity) circulate in any social systems together with other values and symbols not connected with religion. Historically, political power has established various relationships with the religious sphere, although not necessarily according to a fixed pattern in any political regime and at any time. Secondly, it is argued that the case of democracy is peculiar, in that it favors a kind of social and political pluralism which gradually reduces the religious sphere to a secondary role or, at least, places it on the same level with other forms of social identity, based on different cultural values and symbols. Finally, the issue of the relationship between democracy and tolerance is dealt with. John Locke’s theses on tolerance are presented and discussed. According to John Locke, political power ought to tolerate only the individual beliefs and professions of faith or ideals. Consequently, in all the matters in which these beliefs or professions of faith have a direct or indirect impact on the social life the exclusive jurisdiction of the political power should be restored. In conclusion, the principle of <<critical tolerance>>, which could be drawn from John Locke’s thesis, still remains effectual for the coexistence of diversities in democracy, and provides a better antibody against fanaticism and fundamentalism than cultural relativism.
