by Elizabeth M Young

Created on: November 27, 2010

If there is a universal division among people, it is in their religions. Religion is ultimately personal, but it is also a social and legal matter. A religion causes social and legal matters to develop around it, and a religion reflects the social, ethnic, gender and racial and legal separations that already exist in a society.

There are plenty of nations and even regions where distinct and particular religious principles are incorporated into the law, even in Democratic countries that tout their efforts to ensure freedom of religion. Judges in America can easily let their religious beliefs and construct affect their decision making. Government has to accomodate those who have special religious activities, such as the Shabbat and Moslem prayer.

The religions are formed and divided along lines of beliefs that are often so particular that two opposing cults or churches can be very much alike in their formation and practice than they are different. Yet wars, hatred, physical segregation and other disputes arise over these minor differences.

Religions that are repulsive, that call for unlawful action, that are in conflict with the overall social values and norms of a society are shunned, have to hide, or are run out of communities, leading to segregation of another type. Currently, there is a battle over the Moslem religion because some who practice that religion are the enemy in war and because many people do not know much about Islam.

Some sects of Christianity are not highly regarded by those who are offended by past history or by some of the more extremest or deviant cults, sects and offshoots. Yet those who are also Christians practice their own form of the religion.  Scientology is an entirely new religion. In the end, all of these religions have loyal and dedicated members who practice their faith separately and as they will practice their faith.

It has been said that, racially, Sunday is the most segregated day of the week. But a diverse society also acknowledges that Saturday and holy holidays are segregated, too.  But is this truly a religious matter or is it a matter of social preference, where racial, national, ethnic and other differences are so profound that people are not comfortable with worshipping and conducting church and social business outside of their particular groups?

Churches, temples and mosques are more than centers of religion; they are social centers as well. Whether the general society or the religious group causes the separation, the important matters of the specific community, the members of the religious organization, politics, law and society as a whole are discussed and handled. The religious institutions help the poor, deliver services, provide social and personal leadership and counsel, respond to attacks on the community, and speak for the whole as a unified and more powerful force.

As a result, as groups of individuals, families and entire societies divide from each other, religions divide, too. This can be based on divisions that pre-exist or are imposed by forces that work outside of religion, or it can be because the religious beliefs become fractured and the followers divide by their own preference. Finally, religious segregation can originate in language, racial, class and other causes, but the religion itself can and does separate people and causes many forms of segregation.

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