There are many nation-states, past and present that have one religion as the dominant religion, with a clear majority of people practicing it. Not only will this religion have a major impact on the social norms of that nation-state; but also, oftentimes, this religion will have a major influence on the politics and policies of that nation, both domestic and foreign alike. Sometimes a common religion can unite a nation and give the people a commonality that they can all agree on. The shared religion can create a similar system of values and beliefs upon which a solid political structure can be founded. However, more often than not, when the clear majority of people subscribe to one religion, an intolerance of other religions often follows. With this intolerance comes persecution, and in some cases genocide. Three recent examples demonstrate the power that one religious practice can have in a nation when a large enough number of people follow it. Firstly, because of the conflict that is going on between Israel and Palestine in the Middle East, and more specifically the human rights atrocities that are being committed by the Israeli government, many groups around the world are speaking out against the Israeli government. However, their demonstrations have often turned to hate and anti-Semitism has been demonstrated in places such as Venezuela, a mostly Christian country. Another example of a dominant religion taking control in a country can be seen in Saudi Arabia, where Islam is by far the most popular religion. It is so popular that Saudi government officials have recently stated that no other places of worship should be built other than mosques. Finally, one group of Muslims, the Rohingya have become outcasts in almost every country, namely Thailand, a mostly Hindu nation. All of three of these articles wonderfully demonstrate the powerful affect that religion in numbers can have on a nation-state.
An article recently posted in the Detroit News demonstrates how quickly hatred can spread from one nation to another. When a group of Venezuelan citizens became tired of the human rights violations that are being committed by the Israeli government, they decided to protest. However, recently, these demonstrations have become more and more Anti-Semitic. First, the Venezuelans made signs of the Star of David next to a swastika to show that they believe the way in which the Israeli government is attacking the Palestinians resembles how the Germans persecuted the Jews. However, the problem begins to get even worse when the anger and hatred is directed to the Jewish people living in Venezuela, who have nothing to do with the conflict in Israel. A group of, most likely Christian, Venezuelans stormed into a synagogue with guns and used spray paint to vandalize it while also desecrating the Torah and stealing computers with personal information on the congregants of the synagogue. It was an absolutely awful hate crime that was spurred on by a previous hate crime. This event leads one to ask, when will the vicious cycle of hatred end? It seems that the Anti-Semitism in South America is growing quickly and something needs to be done before there are two major human rights atrocities being committed in two separate parts of the world due to the same issue.
There are currently heavy restrictions being placed on religions other than Islam in Saudi Arabia and it does not seem to be getting much better. “A Saudi Arabian official says mosques can be the only places of worship in his country”. This issue brings up a topic of great concern and debate: freedom of religion. By denying the right to build other places of worship in Saudi Arabia, the government is essentially prohibits the practice of any religion other than Islam. These laws and restrictions “reach basic human rights such as freedom from discrimination on the basis of religion or belief”. However, with Islam having such popularity among the people, is it not a surprise that there is such a huge influence of religion into the political sphere? In order for a person to be a citizen in Saudi Arabia, they must be Muslim. This has obviously led to a great deal of persecution towards other religions in Saudi Arabia.
The last important article discusses the ethnic Muslim Rohingya. The Rohingya are social outcasts all over the globe, but especially in Buddhist and Hindu nations such as Thailand and Bangladesh. These people work and live in the worst conditions of anyone in Thailand. They have absolutely no power or authority. In fact, they often flee into neighboring countries where they become illegal immigrants or refugees. However, no country wants them. “No one has championed the Rohingya. Most countries, from Saudi Arabia to Malaysia, see them as little more than a source of cheap labor for the dirtiest and most dangerous jobs”. There have been several widespread abuses including “forced labor, land seizures and rape”. However, because no group will support them or take them in, they are forced to try to flee, by boat to other areas of the globe, such as Malaysia. Sadly, a large portion of the people die on the way in their ships and the ones that do make it live in terrible conditions, much like the ones that they were leaving. It seems as though they Rohingya will continue on living as outcasts until one group takes them in and stands up for their rights. Until then, they will be abused, forced into labor, and raped.
These examples all show the power that religion can have in politics across the globe.
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