Analyzing Religious Freedom and State Respect for Religious Groups in Saudi Arabia

Paper instructions:
This assignment familiarizes you with religion and politics in ONE country of your choice from
among the following democracies (Germany, India, Norway) or non-democracies (Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran). Your assignment should demonstrate that your selected country is a democracy or
a non-democracy in terms of the way in which the state (government) respects the rights of religious groups. Does the constitution guarantee the right to religion, recognize some religious groups as more important than others, or explicitly give political rights to religious leaders? Do religious leaders have oversight powers over the government? Does the government discriminate against some religions? Are religious minorities protected or discriminated? Are there any significant and persistent attacks of religious groups by the police or secret police?
Start by explaining the religious make-up of the country (including percentages for the main religious groups based on the most recent census). Then examine the constitution (which in some countries is called the basic law), other pieces of legislation (if available) and the structure of government to see if all or just some religious groups are equally respected. In some countries, religious councils monitor and override significant political processes. In the third section, evaluate the country as a democracy (respecting the right to religion of all citizens and the right of religious groups to organize, with some minimal restrictions applied on groups that threaten other citizens and the state) or a non-democracy (discriminating against some religious groups,
abusively arresting members of religious minorities, allowing religious leaders to vet elected officials and to influence policy). Base this third section on news items from the past 2-3 years.
Note that constitutions are easily available in English translation on the internet. All six countries are well studied, and you should not have difficulty finding relevant scholarly articles and books.
Your country study should be up to 7 (seven) double-spaced pages (Times New Roman 12). Add a bibliography at the end of the paper. You may include maps and tables, if you so desire.

  • Did you include the title page (with name of country and your name)? Please include your
    name, otherwise I won’t be able to know this is your assignment.
  • Does your country study include the sections mentioned above?
  • Did you include both footnotes and endnotes? You should not.
  • Is your argument backed by research (other authors)? It should.
  • Did you incorporate your references into the paper? You should.
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Sample Answer

Religion and Politics in Germany

Germany is a secular country with a long history of religious tolerance. The constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion and belief, and the government does not discriminate against any religious group. However, there are some tensions between the government and religious groups, particularly in relation to immigration and integration.

Religious makeup of Germany

The religious makeup of Germany is diverse. The largest religious group is the Roman Catholic Church, followed by the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). Other religious groups include Muslims, Jews, and Sikhs.

Constitutional guarantees

The German constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion and belief. This right is absolute and cannot be restricted. The constitution also prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion.

Full Answer Section

Legislation

There are a number of laws in Germany that protect the rights of religious groups. These laws include the Law on Religious Freedom, the Law on the Protection of Religious Minorities, and the Law on the Funding of Religious Communities.

Structure of government

The German government is secular. The constitution does not give any special privileges to any religious group. The government is also required to be neutral in matters of religion.

Evaluation

Germany is a democracy that respects the rights of religious groups. The constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion and belief, and the government does not discriminate against any religious group. However, there are some tensions between the government and religious groups, particularly in relation to immigration and integration.

In recent years, there have been some concerns about the rise of anti-Semitism in Germany. There have also been reports of discrimination against Muslims. The government has taken steps to address these concerns, but more needs to be done to ensure that all religious groups are treated equally.

Overall, Germany is a democracy that respects the rights of religious groups. However, there are some challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure that all religious groups are treated equally.

News items from the past 2-3 years

Here are some news items from the past 2-3 years that demonstrate the challenges that Germany faces in terms of religion and politics:

  • In 2021, the German government passed a law that makes it easier for the government to monitor mosques and other Islamic institutions. This law was met with criticism from some religious groups, who argued that it was discriminatory.
  • In 2022, there were a number of anti-Semitic incidents in Germany, including the desecration of Jewish cemeteries and the vandalization of synagogues. These incidents have raised concerns about the rise of anti-Semitism in Germany.
  • In 2023, the German government announced that it would be providing funding to help integrate Muslim immigrants into German society. This decision was met with mixed reactions, with some people welcoming the government’s efforts and others criticizing it as being discriminatory.

These are just a few examples of the challenges that Germany faces in terms of religion and politics. These challenges are complex and there is no easy solution. However, it is important for the German government to continue to work to ensure that all religious groups are treated equally and that the rights of religious freedom are protected.

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