THE PLACE OF RELIGION IN A LIBERAL DEMOCRACY

Before the concept of a liberal society arose, the conviction dominated that a condition for peaceful coexistence and cooperation was a common religion, moral doctrine or philosophy. Liberalism shows that the cohesive factor in society does not have to be the acceptance by all citizens of the same way of life or religion. According to John Rawls, political liberalism is characterised by the recognition of rational pluralism which involves the coexistence of various rational, disparate religious, philosophical and moral doctrines. The recognition of rational pluralism leads to the conviction that no religious, philosophical or moral doctrine can be politically privileged. Any attempt to reconcile the disparate doctrines ends in failure or is based on forcing others to accept the stronger doctrine. Political liberalism constitutes a practical attempt at answering the question: Is a lasting and just cooperation between free and equal citizens who are divided by rational philosophical, moral and religious doctrines possible?