How does Religion affect Government?

Answer 1

This a question that requires careful research and a complicated set of answers. Since you failed to ask the question in reference to a particular country or government I will use the United States as an example for simplicity.

The separation of church and state is a legal and political principle derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . ." The phrase "separation of church and state" is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists, where Jefferson spoke of the combined effect of the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. It has since been quoted in several opinions handed down by the United States Supreme Court.

Religion brings about ideals of morals and ethical beliefs which can mold and shape the way a person comes to a particular decision. Although it is more appropriate for one to detach themselves from these beliefs to make a "sensible" decision that is not subject to personal bias, there is no way to stop such things from happening.

However, in countries such as Iran and China, religion plays a far more inhospitable role in the design of their governing bodies. The governmental core of Iran is nothing more than Muslim religious leaders. Being a "heathen" or non Muslim in Iran will earn you a quick trip to a painful and difficult life. China is almost identical. China actually has a national religion that is recognized and enforced to a certain degree by the government.

There is much much more on this topic but careful research will do you better than a simple few paragraphs on wikianswers.