American Social Life - Essay Example

American Social Life: Religion according to Toqueville’ s views American social and political life has been changed a lot ever sincethe introduction of democracy. The life in America in the nineteenth century was entirely different that the life at present. Since the introduction of democracy, America has developed rapidly and became the most prosperous country in the world at present. Alexis De Tocqueville in his book, "Democracy In America", has described various aspects of America’s intellectual life, war, foreign policy, military, religion etc in the past. This paper analyses Toqeville's account on religion in America in nineteenth century and its influences on democracy. There is hardly any human action, however, it may be particular, which does not originate in some general idea, men have conceived of the Deity, of his relation to mankind, of the nature of their own souls, and of their duties to their fellow creatures. Men are therefore immeasurably interested in acquiring fixed ideas of God (Toqueveille, p.22) Toqeville has pointed out that majority of the ideas developed in this world are attributed to God or Deity. It is a fact that even atheists are developing their arguments based on the teachings of the religion. In fact the influence of God and religion is forcing the people to think in terms of good and evil. In the absence of religious teachings, nobody would have cared about the seriousness of committing mistakes. Religion is the only entity which talk about a life after death and whereas all the other institutions and philosophies are talking about the present life while keeping a blind eye towards what is going to happen after one’s death. “One of the principal advantage of religion is to furnish fundamental questions a solution which is at once clear, precise, intelligible to the mass of mankind and lasting” (Toqueveille, p.23). It should be noted that the most trusted source; science has not been able to unveil the mysteries surrounding life after death. Everybody know that an energy in the form of soul or mind is driving each human body. Only religions have answers about the future of this energy form or soul. In short, the influence of religion upon human life cannot be ruled out under any circumstances. Religion restraining on every side of the free movement of the human mind. It imposes a salutary restraint on the intellect and it must be admitted that if it do not save men in another world, it is at least very conductive to their happiness and greatness in this (Toqueveille, p.24) As stated earlier, the hope for a life after death prevents people from controlling their thoughts of committing any evil act in this world. It is a fact that human mind is just like a free bird which travels randomly from one place to another without any preferences of priorities. However, the thoughts about the future world force the people to put a strong control over his thoughts and activities. Because of the constraints imposed by the religions, people cannot think freely as stated by Toqueveille. “It is doubtful whether man can ever support at the same time complete religious independence and entire political freedom. If faith be wanting in him, he must be subject; and if he be free, he must believe” (Toqueveille, p.24). Political thoughts and religious teachings may not travel always in parallel directions. There are some political thoughts which support majority religious teachings fully whereas there are many other political thoughts which reject all the claims of religions. For example, in Islamic countries like, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, etc religion dominates over politics. In fact politics in these countries cannot be separated from religion and religious teachings. In other words, religion is actually ruling in these countries. On the other hand, in communist countries like China, freedom to believe in some kind of religion is prohibited. In such countries, religion has few roles in social and political lives of the public. On the other hand, in democratic countries, religion plays an important role in both social and political lives of the public. In other words, religious teachings are not ruled out completely in these countries. People have the freedom to believe in God or spreading their religion in those countries. “The greatest utility of religion, is the equality of conditions prevailing among religious countries” (Toqueveille, p.25). It is difficult to accept above argument completely, especially when we analyze the conditions prevailing in Islamic countries. It should be noted that, people in Islamic countries do not have the freedom to spread their religions. In other words, an American cannot spread Christianity in Saudi Arabia whereas a Saudi person can spread Islam in America. It should be noted that religion is ruling in Saudi whereas democracy is ruling in America. Another major reasons for this discrepancy is the differences in teachings of Islam and Christianity. Mohammed professed to derive from heaven and has inserted in the Koran, not only religious doctrines, but political maxims, civil and criminal laws and theories of science. The Gospel on the contrary, only speaks of the general relations of men to God and each other (Toqueveille, p.26). In other words, Christian teachings or biblical words are talking more about spirituality whereas Muslim teachings talking about the entire things in this world. In other words, Koran talk more about political maxims, civil and criminal laws and theories of science whereas Bible says nothing less about such things. Thus, in Islamic countries, politicians forced to obey the teachings of Koran whereas in Christian countries, politicians can encourage liberal thoughts. That is why democracy is prevailing in Christian dominated countries whereas in Muslim dominated countries, still democracy is staying many miles away. It should be noted that majority of the Islamic dictators succeed in remaining in power for longer period because of their abilities in exploiting religious teachings to suppress the freedom of thoughts. For example, Hosni Mubarak and Gadhafi succeeded in remaining in power for very long period because of the influence of religion in those countries. “Although Christians in America are divided into a multitude of sects, they all look upon their religion in the same light” (Toqueveille, p.31). America is a country in which different communities and beliefs existing in Christianity. Apart from Roman Catholics, many of the protestant groups in America also believe in Bible and Christianity. Each community among American Christians have their own interpretations of Bible teachings. However, none of them oppose the major teachings of Bible. In other words, elements of similarities are more than differences in the belief structure of American Christians. Same thing cannot be said about Muslims in Iraq or Pakistan. It is difficult to accept Toqueveille’s claims that “Men who are similar and equal in the world perceives the idea of one God, governing every man by the same law and granting to every man future happiness on same conditions” (Toqueveille, p.26), when we think about what is going on in Iraq or Pakistan. In fact ethnic clashes between Shias and Sunnis are causing huge threats to human life in these countries. In other words, democracy helped Americans to live in harmony even amidst different opinions, customs, beliefs and opinions whereas autocracy caused fractions among Muslim communities to clash each other. The greatest advantage of religion is to inspire diametrically contrary principles. There is no religion which does not place the object of man’s desires above and beyond the treasures of earth, and which does not naturally raise his soul to regions far above those of the senses. Nor is there which does not impose on man some duties toward his kind and thus draw him at times from the contemplation of himself. (Toqueveille, p.25) “The American ministers of the Gospel do not attempt to draw or to fix all the thoughts of man upon the life to come” (Toqueveille, p.31). The above argument is definitely acceptable. Americans are much liberal in their thoughts even though they have serious belief in religion. It should be noted that antireligious or antichristian thoughts are more prevalent in America than in any other countries in the world. Same sex marriage, lesbianism, gayism etc are against the teachings of Christianity; however, thousands of American Christians are practicing such things at present. The opposition from religion for such changing life styles are slowly vanishing which clearly suggests that religion is not much adamant in controlling the thoughts and liberties of the public. American politics is not at all under the control of any religion which is evident from the immense freedom enjoying by the public at present. “In democratic ages, it is important not to allow the homage paid to secondary agents to be confounded with the worship due to the Creator alone. Religions ought to have fewer external observances in democratic periods than at any others” (Toqueveille, p.28). Democracy has nothing to do with religious beliefs. In other words, it accepts all religious beliefs and it views all these beliefs through a single lens. Christian belief, Muslim belief, or Hindu belief have nothing to do with the political thoughts in a democratic country. It should be noted that temples, mosques etc are plenty in number in America whereas such things are not there in Saudi Arabia like adamant Muslim countries. “All the American clergy know and respect the intellectual supremacy exercised by the majority, they never sustain any but necessary conflicts with it” (Toqueveille, p.32). In democracy, decisions are taken based on the opinions of the majority. Clergy do not have any hesitation in accepting such things. In other words, clergy accepts that political and intellectual freedom is much more valuable than religious teachings. In Islamic countries intellectual freedom has no place and only the religious teachings will prevail over everything in social and political lives. To conclude, many of the arguments of Toqueveille about religion with respect to the development of democracy in America are logical and acceptable. Even though there are certain exceptions. It is a fact that Bible says more things about spiritual life whereas Koran says many things about the political and social life of the people. Thus, in Christian dominated countries people got more freedom in their political, social and intellectual life and the evolution of democracy in those countries can be attributed to that freedom of thoughts. On the other hand, in Muslim countries, people never got such opportunities for free thoughts and a result of that democracy failed to prosper in those countries. In short, Toqueveille’s arguments are still relevant in the contemporary society. Works Cited Toqueveille Alexis De. "Democracy In America". 1863. Vol II, Third Edition. Cambridge Severe and Francis. University press. Wellen, Bigelo and company. Cambridge. Read More