EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN MULTICULTURAL SOCIETIES

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between religious beliefs and political participation in multicultural societies, examining how religious identity influences political engagement in diverse settings. Religion plays a significant role in motivating political participation, especially within religious communities that view political action as a moral duty. A qualitative approach was used, employing a comprehensive literature review to analyze existing studies on religious beliefs, political behavior, and multiculturalism. The review reveals that religious beliefs can both mobilize and divide political communities, with religious minorities often engaging politically to protect their rights. Religious institutions are identified as key agents of political mobilization, using moral teachings to encourage political involvement. However, the influence of religious institutions varies based on the political and social context, with secular societies limiting their impact. The challenges in studying this relationship arise from the intersectionality of religious identity with other social factors, such as ethnicity and class, which complicates the analysis of political participation. This study highlights the need for further research to examine the experiences of religious minorities and the role of state policies in shaping religious political engagement. It concludes that understanding religion's impact on political behavior requires an intersectional approach, considering multiple facets of identity in multicultural contexts.