Forgive me father, I have developed
Religion and development
The Guardian reported that the archbishop of Canterbury has accepted, on behalf of the Church of England, that it should no longer resist gay marriage among churchgoers. On 29th of March 2014, first same-sex weddings have taken place after gay marriage became legal in England and Wales.
This is a clear departure from recent attempts by the English clergy to ban same sex couples from religious matrimonial ceremonies. Furthermore, Croatia offers case of religious impact on different aspects of development as well. In 2013, Croatians back same-sex marriage ban in referendum. Two-thirds of those who voted approved the change to Croatia’s constitution to define ‘marriage’ as a union between a man and a woman only. In a different case, government failed to implement Health Education (HE) in schools, due to controversial factors on religion and pro-abstinence. The church directed public discussion, creating confusion and raising support for a conservative approach. Government bodies addressed the issue poorly. NGOs led contradictory campaigns, causing turmoil. Experimenting with the religious framework changed nothing and problems remained, until government changed and implemented modernised Health Education (with Church’s obstacles on the way).
This illustration suggests that we can discuss the social role of the church from many angles: as a subject promoting social development, as seen from the former statement, or as a retrograde institution, as seen from the latter. Religion and the promotion of human rights have been in a troubled relationship throughout history.
Ever since Voltaire famously shouted “Ecrasez L’Infame”, or “crush the infamous’”, the superstitious, the secularity has been promoted as modus operandi or the only viable relationship between the religion and the state, the polity. As seen throughout history, secularism is not a guarantee for development, but arguably provides a breeding ground for both social development and human rights. Human rights are modern and secular in essence, although modern religions may be interpreted to support them. The Church had obviously assumed a conservative role in the gay marriage discussion, but the acceptance by the head of the Anglican church of the gay marriage, probably hints towards accepting the current state of affairs, or the law ipso facto, rather than support, promotion or ‘blessing’.
The promotion of human rights in South-Eastern Europe has been to some extent hindered by the active resistance of the Church. Although these states are secular according to their constitutions, the practical symbiosis of the church and politics backlashes at the very sensitive issue of human rights promotion. The increasing tendencies of religious over-imposing into politics may further hinder the development of human rights, and thus social development at large.
It is however noteworthy to point out the intersectionality of religion, politics, gender, human rights, thus making the comparability of religion and development even more interesting. If we analyse the social role of a religious gay liberal man, and an atheist ethnic conservative woman, then the conclusions would be surprisingly different, as opposed to the classical assumptions.
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing” — Albert Einstein.
To sum up, the relationship between politics and religion should remain secular, as the promotion of human rights is a post-religious and modern concept. The positive role of religion is however welcome, as the intersectionality illustrates that people assume different roles and concepts simultaneously.
This article was featured on http://www.planb.hr/. Many thanks to @ana_esplanada.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of the Government of the Republic of Croatia or any other entity.
References
Crenshaw, K. (1991) “Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and violence against women of color.” Stanford law review : 1241-1299.
The Guardian, 28 March 2014, “Welby softens church tone on gay marriage law” [online]
