In God's Name

Religion has long been a double-edged sword in human societies, offering moral guidance and community while fueling division and inequity. Many people wish to avoid talking about both religion and politics, especially in work or professional spaces, but across the globe, the entanglement of the two has profoundly shaped nations, often with significant consequences.

From Christianity in America to Hinduism in India, Islam in Iran to Judaism in Israel, religious ideologies have not only moulded constitutions and laws but have also created fractures when the lines between church, mosque, synagogue, or temple and state blur.

Four Lenses of Religious Leadership

In the United States, Christianity—particularly evangelical Christianity—has played a pivotal role in shaping political landscapes. The election of Donald Trump in 2016 and 2024 underscored the political clout of religious conservatives, who saw Trump as a vehicle to further their agendas on issues like abortion, education, the environment, and LGBTQ+ rights. Despite his moral ambiguities, Trump’s presidency was marked by policies that mirrored the priorities of religious leaders, including appointing conservative judges and promoting religious freedom in ways that often marginalized non-Christian or secular groups.

This fusion of religion and politics has profound implications for underrepresented communities, particularly those whose beliefs or lifestyles diverge from evangelical norms. It raises questions about whose values should dominate a pluralistic society and whether the U.S. can uphold its constitutional commitment to religious freedom and equality for all.

In Iran, Islam is not just a faith but the foundation of governance. The Islamic Republic, established after the 1979 revolution, enshrined Shia Islam as the guiding principle of its constitution. This theocratic model has led to policies that severely restrict freedoms, particularly for women and dissenting religious or political voices. Iran’s morality police and the enforcement of Islamic dress codes highlight the dangers of a state that polices personal behaviour under the guise of religious purity.

The protests, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, reflect widespread dissatisfaction with the regime’s oppressive interpretation of Islam. These events highlight a crucial leadership lesson that governance rooted in rigid religious ideology often stifles progress and alienates citizens who seek more inclusive and equitable societies.

In Israel, Judaism plays a central role in national identity and politics. The state’s self-definition as a Jewish democracy creates inherent tensions, particularly in its treatment of Palestinian citizens and its governance of occupied territories. Religious parties wield significant power, influencing everything from marriage laws to settlement policies.

While Judaism provides a strong cultural and historical foundation for Israel, the lack of separation between religion and state complicates efforts to achieve peace and equality. The marginalization of non-Jewish communities underscores how religiously driven policies can perpetuate conflict and inequity.

India, the world’s largest democracy, has witnessed a surge in Hindu nationalism under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) promotes an ideology that intertwines Hindu identity with Indian nationalism, often at the expense of religious minorities, particularly Muslims. Policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act and the revocation of Kashmir’s special status reveal how religious nationalism can be weaponized to consolidate power and marginalize dissenting groups.

The rise of Hindu nationalism illustrates how religion when politicized, can erode democratic norms, fuel social divisions, and undermine the rights of minority communities.

Leadership Lessons in Navigating Religion and Governance

The global examples of religious influence on politics offer several critical leadership lessons:

Inclusivity Is Essential

Leaders must recognize the dangers of governance that privileges one religious group over others. Policies should be designed to protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of faith.

Moral Governance Without Religious Dogma

A secular approach to governance does not imply a rejection of morality. Instead, it allows for ethical decision-making grounded in universal principles of justice, equality, and human rights, free from the constraints of religious doctrine.

The Importance of Pluralism

Diverse societies thrive when multiple perspectives are respected and represented. Leaders must champion pluralism to ensure that no single ideology dominates at the expense of others.

Balancing Tradition and Progress

While religion often provides a moral compass, governance must be adaptive, addressing contemporary challenges without being shackled by outdated dogmas.

Toward a More Secular Future

I would argue that for balance to be achieved, it would take implementing a more secular approach to political governance. This requires careful, strategic leadership and there are steps to achieve this without alienating religious communities:

Firstly, constitutional safeguards. Countries can strengthen legal frameworks to ensure the separation of religion and state. Constitutions must protect religious freedom while preventing religious domination in policymaking.

Second, dialogue and education. Encourage interfaith dialogue and promote education that fosters understanding of secular values and human rights. This helps dispel the notion that secularism is anti-religious.

Thirdly moral leadership. Leaders can draw on universal ethical principles to build trust and demonstrate that secular governance can uphold moral integrity without favouring any religious group.

Fourthly, transparent governance. Ensure that policymaking processes are transparent and rooted in evidence-based practices, reducing the influence of religious lobbying.

A Dose of Reality

The truth is most theocratic governments, either explicit or in principle, aren’t going away anytime soon.

Through the lens of religious leadership much has been achieved, but much harm has also been done. To build more equitable, just, and peaceful societies, leaders must learn from the past and navigate the complex relationship between religion and politics. A secular approach to governance offers a path forward, one that respects religious traditions while prioritizing the common good. The challenge is to implement this approach in a way that fosters unity, upholds justice, and ensures that no community is isolated.

No one is holding their breath that this will happen any time soon, but there is something incredibly ironic that so many leaders who claim to be God’s mouthpiece on earth are not great adverts for the fairness, justice, benevolence and good leadership of the divine wisdom that they are supposed to represent.

History has such a horrible habit of repeating itself, despite our best intentions.