Government neutrality towards religion essay sample

Over the past several years, the government has tried its best to remain neutral towards all religions. Essentially, government neutrality towards religion requires that the ruling government does not favor any sect, religion or denomination over the others. In order to enhance the government’s neutrality towards religion, there are several laws that deny the government authority to interfere in religious matters. Government neutrality towards religion is a good idea because it fosters good relations between people from diverse religious backgrounds, creates a conducive political environment, helps to avoid isolation of religious minorities, and ensures that there is freedom of worship in the country.
First, government neutrality towards religion has enabled people from various religious backgrounds to live harmoniously together with each other. This is primarily because the government does not favor one religion over the others; therefore, there is no religion that is seen more superior to the others. People are able to live peacefully by appreciating the fact that they have different religious beliefs. However, if the government openly showed favoritism towards a particular religion, this would lead to displeasure among followers of the other religions. They would feel that the government is isolating them, and this would make them dislike members of the religion being favored. For example, in a neighborhood where Muslims, Hinduism and Christians live harmoniously together, both Christians and Hindus will express disgruntlement, if the government favors Muslims. Additionally, this can lead to poor relations between the neighbors, which can easily escalate to religious conflicts. Therefore, it is imperative for the government to be neutral towards all religions, as this will help foster good relations among neighbors.
Second, government neutrality towards religion creates a conducive political environment for political leaders to express their ideas without dividing their supporters along religious lines. In the light of recent political campaigns, there are some sneaky politicians who are capable of creating a divide between followers of different religions. For example, a political leader can strongly argue that the government is favoring Christians, and that it is high time other religions gang up against the Christians. This would definitely inflate the political temperatures and lead to political conflicts. However, if the government is openly neutral towards all religions, the citizens would not allow such political leaders to manipulate them as the wish. It is evidently important for the government to always remain neutral towards all religions, and create a conducive political environment.
Third, it helps in avoiding isolation of religious minorities. Since independence, the religious minorities have not felt part of the country. They have been maltreated by members of other religions due to their few numbers. The major religions often claim that the religious minorities do not have dependable teachings to base their religious practices on. This has made them feel humiliated by members of other religions. Nevertheless, by the government being neutral towards all religions, the religious minorities have slowly started feeling part of the country. They are now recognized by members of other religions, and are eligible to receive services from different government institutions. Vitally, the concept of government neutrality towards religion has helped prevent isolation of religious minorities because they are now recognized by the constitution and various government institutions.
Furthermore, neutrality of government towards religion is a good idea because it ensures that there is freedom of worship in the country. Everyone has the right to practice whatever religious practices he or she finds appropriate. The government recognizes that not all human beings are the same, and everyone has his or her own beliefs. Therefore, by not favoring any religion, the government is encouraging its citizens to enjoy the freedom of conscience on religious matters. In addition, religious leaders are able to preach what they believe is right to their followers. While doing so, they do not fear anything because the government has assured them that it will not interfere with their teachings. It is also discernible that due to government’s impartiality towards religion, there has been religious transformation in the country. For example, in the past several years, there were few mosques in the country. However, since the government committed to being neutral towards all religions, more mosques have been constructed in the country. Muslims are now able to enjoy their freedom of worship without any disruption from the government. Clearly, government’s neutrality towards religion has provided freedom of worship to all people; hence, it is a good idea.
Government neutrality towards religion has played a key role in ensuring that people live harmoniously with each other. People from diverse religious backgrounds are able to respect each other religious practices. Moreover, no political leader is able to divide the citizens according to religious affiliations because the government does not favor one religion over the other; hence, the government creates a conducive political environment. It is vital to recognize the fact that impartiality of the government on religious matters has helped promote freedom of worship, and avoid isolating the existing religious minorities. Remarkably, this has encouraged religious diversity in the country. Evidently, government neutrality towards religion is a good idea.