It's a Choice

            Okay, lets discuss the matter of religion and state.  It is a topic that is filled with hot debates for years but has become more prevalent to me this last month. I would like to note that I will only scrape the surface of the topic due to its complexity. For starters let me share some facts about myself. I am what you call a church kid. I have not only gone to church my whole life but I’ve practically grew up in its walls. This issue on the separation of religion and state has floated in out of my life over the years. I understand both sides of the argument and I have come to the conclusion that religion and the state should be separated.

            Religion is a choice made by the individual from free will; it cannot be forced. Thus, the government must provide the protection and rights of the freedom of religion. Now this act is difficulty to apply in many of today’s nations, for some nations its religion and government walk hand in hand, such as Iran and many other Muslim countries. In regards to Israel it is even a sticker situation. Israel faces the debates on the Jewish identity as well as the various sects in Judaism and not to mention the practices of other religions, such as Islam, Christian and the Druze. 

            Israel also faces the tension between secularism and religion. As a modern developing state how long can Israel accommodate Judaism? After the class’s mock elections and my studies thus far of Israeli politics and society, I find the direct influence of Judaism in the government inadequate. I had the opportunity to study and represent the Shas party in this class exercise.  While preparing and learning about the party I found their stance and support on social welfare and education somewhat sufficient but their argument on religion was contradicting.

For example, the creation of a moral Judaist state cannot be enforced. In a religious perspective only God can create it when humans surrender completely to his will and this surrender is also done by choice. Now that is a whole other debate and I am not going to get into. But I would argue that ultra-Orthodox Jews are failing to convince the general Israeli public because their ways are impractical. For example the matter on subsidies and grants; the government cannot be the only financial supplier, all its citizens must give their share. In the near future I do not perceive Judaism having a direct influence in the Israeli government instead it will probably play an indirect role.