Throughout history, religion and politics have intertwined in ways that shape societies, often at the cost of human lives. While ancient civilizations practiced literal human sacrifice to appease deities and maintain social order, modern states engage in ideological purges under the guise of political and religious purity. From Iran’s theocratic governance to India’s rising religious nationalism, the fusion of faith and state power continues to marginalize dissenting voices. But is the solution to suppress religion altogether? Or is there a way to break this dangerous cycle without erasing faith from public life?
Iran:
When Religion Becomes the State
Following
the 1979 revolution, Iran institutionalized the doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih
(Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist), effectively subordinating state power to
religious authority. In theory, this system ensures governance aligned with
Islamic principles. In practice, it has transformed faith into an instrument of
political control. Religion is no longer a personal matter but a state-enforced
ideology, used to silence opposition and maintain ideological homogeneity.
Those who challenge this unity are branded as rebels or apostates, often facing
dire consequences. This dynamic mirrors ancient practices where societies
offered sacrifices to preserve their supposed purity—except today, the
sacrifices are political dissidents and marginalised communities.
Saudi
Arabia: The State as the Sole Custodian of Faith
Unlike Iran,
where religion fuels grassroots political mobilisation, Saudi Arabia has
adopted a top-down model where the monarchy retains exclusive control over
religious interpretation. By centralising religious authority, the state
prevents the public from using faith as a tool for political opposition. While
this model curtails the misuse of religion for populist extremism, it does not
equate to religious freedom. Rather, it ensures that faith remains a controlled
entity, wielded solely by the ruling elite to maintain their grip on power.
Here, too, religion serves as a mechanism of control—albeit one that suppresses
grassroots religious movements rather than empowering them.
India:
The Rise of Religious Nationalism
In India,
the ascent of Hindutva ideology under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its
ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), illustrates the
dangers of majoritarian nationalism. By conflating Hindu identity with national
identity, the ruling establishment has systematically othered religious
minorities, branding them as outsiders or traitors. The gradual erosion of
secularism has led to an environment where non-Hindus face increasing
discrimination, forced to either assimilate or exist in perpetual insecurity.
This transformation showcases how religion, when politicised, becomes a tool
for societal exclusion rather than spiritual enrichment.
Myanmar:
The Weaponization of Faith Against the Rohingya
Myanmar
presents a harrowing example of how religion, when tied to state identity, can
justify atrocities. The Buddhist-majority nation has systematically persecuted
the Rohingya Muslim population, portraying them as foreign elements unworthy of
citizenship. The government has so deeply intertwined Buddhist identity with
national belonging that those who do not conform face expulsion—whether through
genocide, forced displacement, or systemic discrimination. This pattern,
reminiscent of historical ethnic purges, highlights a disturbing global trend:
the state’s relentless pursuit of ideological purity at the cost of human
lives.
The
Solution: Secularism as a Safeguard, Not an Attack on Faith
The answer
to these crises is not the suppression of religion but the prevention of its
political exploitation. Religion, in its essence, is not the problem—its
manipulation for political gain is. History reveals that whenever religion has
been absorbed into state machinery, it has been used to justify oppression in
the name of national or ideological purity. Secular governance does not mean
hostility toward religion; rather, it ensures that faith remains a personal
belief rather than a political weapon. A truly democratic state must protect
all its citizens equally, without favoring one religious identity over others.
Summary
The world
has repeatedly witnessed the dangers of politicized religion—from Iran’s
theocratic oppression to Myanmar’s ethnic cleansing. If we seek a peaceful
society, we must detach faith from the state and build political systems based
on civic rights rather than religious identity. Secularism is not the enemy of
religion; it is the guardian of diversity, ensuring that belief remains a
source of personal fulfillment rather than a justification for systemic
persecution. In a world rife with ideological conflict, the only path forward
is one where differing faiths coexist—not as political weapons, but as
individual convictions.
