RELIGION VS GOVERNMENT

First, let me attempt to define the purposes of government and religion. There are multi definitions of these and I do not intend to describe all of the variations but if you so desire you can offer your own. Suffice it to say that government and political systems exist to protect people’s rights and to keep their evil tendencies at bay while protecting their rights of life, liberty, property, work, rest, worship, and freedom of press from those who would diminish them. This is usually done by establishing structure and laws for governing purposes (a government is the authority that rules over a country's body of politics). Religion, on the other hand, is a system of beliefs involving the worship of supernatural forces or beings (God). The beliefs provide shape and meaning to one's self and sense of order in what might otherwise be seen as a chaotic existence. For most religious people, their beliefs about the supernatural are at the very core of their world views. Religion plays an important role in social control by defining what is right and wrong behavior. While the two may have aims that, in some cases, are similar or overlapping, their focus is entirely different. Although these distinctions are clear, many nations allow one or the other function to control the nation. While most nations have majority populations with religious beliefs, there are 11 with majority populations having non-religious beliefs, China being the largest. Some states are totally ruled by religion including Vatican City, Islamic States and some others.