Democracy and Islam

Ran from May 9th 2006

Are there tensions between religion and democracy? What happens if there is a clash between particular religious values and wider liberal democratic principles like equality and individual freedom? Which values win out?

The first Democracy Series booklet confronts these issues with particular relevance to the alleged tensions between democracy and Islam. It raises a number of important points about the diversity in ideas and perspectives which exists among Muslims in Britain, and examines claims about the compatibility of the Islamic faith with democratic society.

Download and read the Democracy and Islam booklet.

We intend this piece to be a springboard for debate not only about Islam, but about the relationship between religion and democracy more widely. For example, certain forms of Christianity may also give rise to conflicts about the relationship between faith and democracy. We are keen to get your views on this crucial subject, and encourage you to take part in the online discussion.

  • Is it possible to have genuine democratic dialogue among groups whose beliefs fundamentally clash? For example, how might democratic dialogue realistically achieve a consensus between Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, and Christians on issues that they disagree on?
  • What happens when secular states act in ways which clash with religious values? For example, should democratic states committed to freedom of speech allow the publication of cartoons that offend religious groups? Should they permit novelists, playrights, artists, or poets to challenge religious beliefs in the name of art?
  • Can religion enrich democracy? In what ways has religion in fact contributed to the development of democratic government?

previous discussion

Can we democratically discuss "Democracy and [a religion]"?

Posted by Chris Williams on 10/05/2006 - 14:00

The paper raises a central question: in Britain, can we sensibly have a general democratic discussion about democracy which includes arguments such as, "our holy book says" or "we believe"? That seems virtually impossible, except in a population that is of one religious view.

Religion may help individuals to form personal judgments, but the British population will never unanimously accept the bases of those judgments. To people of no religion, a religious argument is based on something that does not exist; to people of specific religions, other religious tenets may be “wrong”. A religious basis for democratic debate will always appear a false or even deceitful to ‘others’, even if the conclusions are accepted.

We do not need to be religious to know that schools and hospitals are necessary, that the invasion of Iraq was improper, or that the decline in voting is based on very rational perceptions of the dubious value of self-interested party politics and arcane voting systems. Whatever our religious views, we can join together to right the wrongs caused by our political leaders. Religious debate can distract us from that, no doubt to the delight of our wayward politicians. If Muslim friends ask me "To join with muslims to hold Blair and Bush to account for immoral conduct in Iraq." My answer is, "No". But I am more than willing to work to hold Blair and Bush to account for immoral conduct in Iraq.

Put another way, Britain is in such a mess, that we need to put our energies into discussing the real problems in a direct way. If we do that, religion will make its contribution, but through individuals not through questionable and unnecessary political/religious mobilisation.

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