politics and religion essay topics

100+ Religion Essay Topics

The realm of religion has always been a deeply fascinating and, at times, contentious area of study. The possibilities for exploration are vast, from theological doctrines to the impact of religion on societies. If you are a student or an enthusiast looking to delve into religious studies through essays, you’ve come to the right place.

Table of Contents

What is a Religion Essay?

A religion essay is a piece of writing that explores topics related to spirituality, theological doctrines, the historical evolution of religions, religious practices, and the impact of religion on various facets of society. It provides an avenue for individuals to critically examine and articulate their understanding of a religious subject, fostering both introspection and academic analysis.

Guide on Choosing a Religion Essay Topic

In 100-150 words? Here goes: Choosing a topic for a religion essay can be overwhelming, given the vastness of the subject. Start by narrowing your focus. Are you more interested in theological concepts, historical events, or social impacts? Research current events related to religion, as contemporary issues can provide fresh perspectives. Reflect on personal experiences or curiosities. It’s always easier to write on topics you’re passionate about. Lastly, ensure your chosen topic has enough credible sources available for a well-researched essay.

Religion Essay Topics Lists

Theological concepts.

• The Concept of God in Abrahamic Religions
• Karma and Reincarnation in Hinduism
• The Significance of Nirvana in Buddhism
• Sufism: The Mystical Dimension of Islam
• The Holy Trinity in Christianity: Interpretations and Beliefs

Historical Events

• The Crusades: Religious Zeal or Political Conquest?
• The Reformation and its Impact on Christianity
• Spread of Islam: Historical Perspectives and Causes
• Ancient Egyptian Religion and its Influence on Society
• The Role of the Vatican during World War II

Social Impacts

• Religion and its Role in Shaping Moral Values
• The Influence of Religion on Art and Architecture
• Religion and Politics: A Dangerous Liaison?
• Impact of Secularism on Modern Societies
• Feminism and Religion: Points of Convergence and Divergence

Contemporary Issues

• The Rise of Atheism in the 21st Century
• Religion and LGBTQ+ Rights: Conflicts and Resolutions
• Modern Religious Movements and Cults: A Study
• Religion in the Age of Technology: Evolution or Dissolution?
• Climate Change: Religious Perspectives and Responsibilities

Personal Reflections

• My Spiritual Journey: Discoveries and Challenges
• Religion in My Family: Traditions and Changes
• The Role of Prayer in My Life
• Personal Experiences with Religious Tolerance and Intolerance
• Finding Peace: A Personal Encounter with Meditation

Historical Contexts

• The Fall of Constantinople: Religious Implications
• The Establishment of the Church of England
• Comparative Analysis: Spread of Christianity and Islam in Africa
• The Dead Sea Scrolls: Relevance and Discoveries
• Influence of the Byzantine Church on Orthodox Christianity

Theological Doctrines

• Comparative Analysis of Heaven in Different Religions
• The Role of Angels and Demons across Religions
• Salvation in Christian Theology
• Islamic Views on Predestination
• Hindu Views on Creation and Cosmos

Philosophical Questions

• The Problem of Evil in Religious Thought
• The Existence of God: Arguments For and Against
• Morality: Divine Command Theory vs. Secular Ethics
• Free Will vs. Divine Determinism
• The Concept of Soul in Various Religions

Modern Interpretations and Movements

• Progressive Christianity: A New Age Movement?
• Jihad: Misunderstandings and Clarifications
• Spiritual but Not Religious: The Rise of Secular Spirituality
• Neo-Paganism and Modern Witchcraft
• The Baha’i Faith and Its Universal Message

Religious Practices and Rituals

• The Significance of Hajj in Islam
• Christian Sacraments: Symbols and Meanings
• Hindu Festivals and Their Socio-religious Importance
• Jewish Dietary Laws: Significance and Practice
• Zen Buddhism: Practices and Philosophies

Religion and Society

• The Role of Religion in Contemporary Politics
• Religion and Education: Benefits and Drawbacks
• Religious Perspectives on Healthcare Ethics
• The Impact of Religion on Family Structures
• Religion in Media: Representation and Bias

Interfaith and Comparative Studies

• Comparative Study of Abrahamic Religions
• Eastern vs. Western Spiritual Practices
• Similarities in Creation Myths Across Religions
• Comparative Study of Ascetic Practices in Religions
• Rituals of Death and Afterlife Across Cultures

Gender and Religion

• Female Figures in Christianity: Beyond Mary
• The Role of Women in Islamic Societies
• Feminine Divinities in Hinduism
• Gender Roles in Traditional and Modern Jewish Practices
• The Evolution of Gender Norms in Buddhist Traditions

Religion and Science

• Religious Perspectives on Evolution
• The Vatican and Astronomy: A Historic Relationship
• Islamic Contributions to Science and Mathematics
• Hindu Cosmology and Modern Astrophysics
• Buddhism and Psychology: Overlaps and Insights

Mysticism and Esoteric Beliefs

• Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism Explored
• Christian Gnostic Traditions
• Sufism: The Heart of Islamic Mysticism
• Tantra in Hinduism and Buddhism: Misunderstandings and Realities
• The Rosicrucians: History and Beliefs of a Mysterious Order

Sacred Texts and Their Interpretations

• The Bhagavad Gita: A Philosophical Analysis
• Parables in the New Testament: Meanings and Implications
• The Talmud and Its Relevance in Contemporary Judaism
• The Tao Te Ching: Exploring Daoist Philosophy
• Themes of Justice and Mercy in the Qur’an

Religion and Art

• Depictions of Buddha in Art: Evolution and Significance
• Christian Iconography: Symbols and Their Origins
• Islamic Calligraphy: Beauty in Sacred Texts
• Religious Themes in Renaissance Art
• The Influence of Hindu Mythology on Classical Dance Forms

Faith and Modern Challenges

• Addressing Climate Change: Religious Responses and Responsibilities
• Religion in the Digital Age: New Forms of Worship and Community
• The Ethics of Genetic Engineering from Religious Perspectives
• Faith Healing vs. Modern Medicine: A Comparative Analysis
• The Role of Religion in Modern Mental Health Practices

Minor Religions and Sects

• Jainism: Principles of Non-Violence and Asceticism
• The Yoruba Religion: Understanding Orishas and Rituals
• The Alevi Community: Beliefs and Practices
• Zoroastrianism: History and Current Status
• The Raelian Movement: Extraterrestrial Beliefs and Controversies

Call to Action

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Useful References

• BBC Religions – Comprehensive information on a wide array of religions.
• Religion Online – Full texts by recognized religious scholars.
• Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project – Offers statistical research and reports on religion’s role in society.

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160 Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Students in 2024

April 3, 2024

The skill of writing an excellent argumentative essay is a crucial one for every high school or college student to master. In sum, argumentative essays teach students how to organize their thoughts logically and present them in a convincing way. This skill is helpful not only for those pursuing degrees in law , international relations , or public policy , but for any student who wishes to develop their critical thinking faculties. In this article, we’ll cover what makes a good argument essay and offer several argumentative essay topics for high school and college students. Let’s begin!

What is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is an essay that uses research to present a reasoned argument on a particular subject . As with the persuasive essay , the purpose of an argumentative essay is to sway the reader to the writer’s position. However, a strong persuasive essay makes its point through diligent research and emotion while a strong argumentative essay should be based solely on facts, not feelings.

Moreover, each fact should be supported by clear evidence from credible sources . Furthermore, a good argumentative essay will have an easy-to-follow structure. When organizing your argumentative essay, use this format as a guide:

• Introduction
• Supporting body paragraphs
• Paragraph(s) addressing common counterarguments

Argumentative Essay Format

In the introduction , the writer presents their position and thesis statement —a sentence that summarizes the paper’s main points. The body paragraphs then draw upon supporting evidence to back up this initial statement, with each paragraph focusing on its own point. The length of your paper will determine the amount of examples you need. In general, you’ll likely need at least two to three. Additionally, your examples should be as detailed as possible, citing specific research, case studies, statistics, or anecdotes.

In the counterargument paragraph , the writer acknowledges and refutes opposing viewpoints. Finally, in the conclusion , the writer restates the main argument made in the thesis statement and summarizes the points of the essay. Additionally, the conclusion may offer a final proposal to persuade the reader of the essay’s position.

How to Write an Effective Argumentative Essay, Step by Step

• Choose your topic. Use the list below to help you pick a topic. Ideally, a good argumentative essay topic will be meaningful to you—writing is always stronger when you are interested in the subject matter. In addition, the topic should be complex with plenty of “pro” and “con” arguments. Avoid choosing a topic that is either widely accepted as fact or too narrow. For example, “Is the earth round?” would not be a solid choice.
• Research. Use the library, the web, and any other resources to gather information about your argumentative essay topic. Research widely but smartly. As you go, take organized notes, marking the source of every quote and where it may fit in the scheme of your larger essay. Moreover, remember to look for (and research) possible counterarguments.
• Outline . Using the argument essay format above, create an outline for your essay. Then, brainstorm a thesis statement covering your argument’s main points, and begin to put your examples in order, focusing on logical flow. It’s often best to place your strongest example last.
• Write . Draw on your research and outline to create a first draft. Remember, your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. (As Voltaire says, “Perfect is the enemy of good.”) Accordingly, just focus on getting the words down on paper.
• Does my thesis statement need to be adjusted?
• Which examples feel strongest? Weakest?
• Do the transitions flow smoothly?
• Do I have a strong opening paragraph?
• Does the conclusion reinforce my argument?

Tips for Revising an Argument Essay

Evaluating your own work can be difficult, so you might consider the following strategies:

• Read your work aloud to yourself.
• Record yourself reading your paper, and listen to the recording.
• Reverse outline your paper. Firstly, next to each paragraph, write a short summary of that paragraph’s main points/idea. Then, read through your reverse outline. Does it have a logical flow? If not, where should you adjust?
• Print out your paper and cut it into paragraphs. What happens when you rearrange the paragraphs?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School, High School, and College Students

Family argumentative essay topics.

• Should the government provide financial incentives for families to have children to address the declining birth rate?
• Should we require parents to provide their children with a certain level of nutrition and physical activity to prevent childhood obesity?
• Should parents implement limits on how much time their children spend playing video games?
• Should cell phones be banned from family/holiday gatherings?
• Should we hold parents legally responsible for their children’s actions?
• Should children have the right to sue their parents for neglect?
• Should parents have the right to choose their child’s religion?
• Are spanking and other forms of physical punishment an effective method of discipline?
• Should courts allow children to choose where they live in cases of divorce?
• Should parents have the right to monitor teens’ activity on social media?
• Should parents control their child’s medical treatment, even if it goes against the child’s wishes?
• Should parents be allowed to post pictures of their children on social media without their consent?
• Should fathers have a legal say in whether their partners do or do not receive an abortion?
• Can television have positive developmental benefits on children?
• Should the driving age be raised to prevent teen car accidents?
• Should adult children be legally required to care for their aging parents?

Education Argument Essay Topics

• Should schools ban the use of technology like ChatGPT?
• Are zoos unethical, or necessary for conservation and education?
• To what degree should we hold parents responsible in the event of a school shooting?
• Should schools offer students a set number of mental health days?
• Should school science curriculums offer a course on combating climate change?
• Should public libraries be allowed to ban certain books? If so, what types?
• What role, if any, should prayer play in public schools?
• Should schools push to abolish homework?
• Are gifted and talented programs in schools more harmful than beneficial due to their exclusionary nature?
• Should universities do away with Greek life?
• Should schools remove artwork, such as murals, that some perceive as offensive?
• Should the government grant parents the right to choose alternative education options for their children and use taxpayer funds to support these options?
• Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling for children’s academic and social development?
• Should we require schools to teach sex education to reduce teen pregnancy rates?
• Should we require schools to provide sex education that includes information about both homosexual and heterosexual relationships?
• Should colleges use affirmative action and other race-conscious policies to address diversity on campus?
• Should public schools remove the line “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance?
• Should college admissions officers be allowed to look at students’ social media accounts?
• Should schools abolish their dress codes, many of which unfairly target girls, LGBTQ students, and students of color?
• Should schools be required to stock free period products in bathrooms?
• Should legacy students receive preferential treatment during the college admissions process?
• Are school “voluntourism” trips ethical?

Government Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should the U.S. decriminalize prostitution?
• Should the U.S. issue migration visas to all eligible applicants?
• Should the federal government cancel all student loan debt?
• Should we lower the minimum voting age? If so, to what?
• Should the federal government abolish all laws penalizing drug production and use?
• Should the U.S. use its military power to deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan?
• Should the U.S. supply Ukraine with further military intelligence and supplies?
• Should the North and South of the U.S. split up into two regions?
• Should Americans hold up nationalism as a critical value?
• Should we permit Supreme Court justices to hold their positions indefinitely?
• Should Supreme Court justices be democratically elected?
• Is the Electoral College still a productive approach to electing the U.S. president?
• Should the U.S. implement a national firearm registry?
• Is it ethical for countries like China and Israel to mandate compulsory military service for all citizens?
• Should the U.S. government implement a ranked-choice voting system?
• Should institutions that benefited from slavery be required to provide reparations?
• Based on the 1619 project, should history classes change how they teach about the founding of the U.S.?
• Should term limits be imposed on Senators and Representatives? If so, how long?
• Should women be allowed into special forces units?
• Should the federal government implement stronger, universal firearm licensing laws?
• Do public sex offender registries help prevent future sex crimes?
• Should the government be allowed to regulate family size?
• Should all adults legally be considered mandated reporters?
• Should the government fund public universities to make higher education more accessible to low-income students?
• Should the government fund universal preschool to improve children’s readiness for kindergarten?

Health/Bioethics Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should the U.S. government offer its own healthcare plan?
• In the case of highly infectious pandemics, should we focus on individual freedoms or public safety when implementing policies to control the spread?
• Should we legally require parents to vaccinate their children to protect public health?
• Is it ethical for parents to use genetic engineering to create “designer babies” with specific physical and intellectual traits?
• Should the government fund research on embryonic stem cells for medical treatments?
• Should the government legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill patients?
• Should organ donation be mandatory?
• Is cloning animals ethical?
• Should cancer screenings start earlier? If so, what age?
• Is surrogacy ethical?
• Should birth control require a prescription?
• Should minors have access to emergency contraception?
• Should hospitals be for-profit or nonprofit institutions?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics — Continued

Social media argumentative essay topics.

• Should the federal government increase its efforts to minimize the negative impact of social media?
• Do social media and smartphones strengthen one’s relationships?
• Should antitrust regulators take action to limit the size of big tech companies?
• Should social media platforms ban political advertisements?
• Should the federal government hold social media companies accountable for instances of hate speech discovered on their platforms?
• Do apps such as TikTok and Instagram ultimately worsen the mental well-being of teenagers?
• Should governments oversee how social media platforms manage their users’ data?
• Should social media platforms like Facebook enforce a minimum age requirement for users?
• Should social media companies be held responsible for cases of cyberbullying?
• Should the United States ban TikTok?
• Is social media harmful to children?
• Should employers screen applicants’ social media accounts during the hiring process?

Religion Argument Essay Topics

• Should religious institutions be tax-exempt?
• Should religious symbols such as the hijab or crucifix be allowed in public spaces?
• Should religious freedoms be protected, even when they conflict with secular laws?
• Should the government regulate religious practices?
• Should we allow churches to engage in political activities?
• Religion: a force for good or evil in the world?
• Should the government provide funding for religious schools?
• Is it ethical for healthcare providers to deny abortions based on religious beliefs?
• Should religious organizations be allowed to discriminate in their hiring practices?
• Should we allow people to opt out of medical treatments based on their religious beliefs?
• Should the U.S. government hold religious organizations accountable for cases of sexual abuse within their community?
• Should religious beliefs be exempt from anti-discrimination laws?
• Should religious individuals be allowed to refuse services to others based on their beliefs or lifestyles? (As in this famous case .)
• Should the US ban religion-based federal holidays?
• Should public schools be allowed to teach children about religious holidays?

Science Argument Essay Topics

• Would the world be safer if we eliminated nuclear weapons?
• Should scientists bring back extinct animals? If so, which ones?
• Should we hold companies fiscally responsible for their carbon footprint?
• Should we ban pesticides in favor of organic farming methods?
• Should the federal government ban all fossil fuels, despite the potential economic impact on specific industries and communities?
• What renewable energy source should the U.S. invest more money in?
• Should the FDA outlaw GMOs?
• Should we worry about artificial intelligence surpassing human intelligence?
• Should the alternative medicine industry be more stringently regulated?
• Is colonizing Mars a viable option?
• Is the animal testing worth the potential to save human lives?

Sports Argument Essay Topics

• Should colleges compensate student-athletes?
• How should sports teams and leagues address the gender pay gap?
• Should youth sports teams do away with scorekeeping?
• Should we ban aggressive contact sports like boxing and MMA?
• Should professional sports associations mandate that athletes stand during the national anthem?
• Should high schools require their student-athletes to maintain a certain GPA?
• Should transgender athletes compete in sports according to their gender identity?
• Should schools ban football due to the inherent danger it poses to players?
• Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
• Do participation trophies foster entitlement and unrealistic expectations?
• Should sports teams be divided by gender?
• Should professional athletes be allowed to compete in the Olympics?
• Should women be allowed on NFL teams?

Technology Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should sites like DALL-E compensate the artists whose work it was trained on?
• Should the federal government make human exploration of space a more significant priority?
• Is it ethical for the government to use surveillance technology to monitor citizens?
• Should websites require proof of age from their users? If so, what age?
• Should we consider A.I.-generated images and text pieces of art?
• Does the use of facial recognition technology violate individuals’ privacy?
• Is online learning as effective as in-person learning?
• Does computing harm the environment?
• Should buying, sharing, and selling collected personal data be illegal?
• Are electric cars really better for the environment?
• Should car companies be held responsible for self-driving car accidents?
• Should private jets be banned?
• Do violent video games contribute to real-life violence?

Business Argument Essay Topics

• Should the U.S. government phase out the use of paper money in favor of a fully digital currency system?
• Should the federal government abolish its patent and copyright laws?
• Should we replace the Federal Reserve with free-market institutions?
• Is free-market ideology responsible for the U.S. economy’s poor performance over the past decade?
• Will cryptocurrencies overtake natural resources like gold and silver?
• Is capitalism the best economic system? What system would be better?
• Should the U.S. government enact a universal basic income?
• Should we require companies to provide paid parental leave to their employees?
• Should the government raise the minimum wage? If so, to what?
• Should antitrust regulators break up large companies to promote competition?
• Is it ethical for companies to prioritize profits over social responsibility?
• Should gig-economy workers like Uber and Lyft drivers be considered employees or independent contractors?
• Should the federal government regulate the gig economy to ensure fair treatment of workers?
• Should the government require companies to disclose the environmental impact of their products?
• Should companies be allowed to fire employees based on political views or activities?
• Should tipping practices be phased out?
• Should employees who choose not to have children be given the same amount of paid leave as parents?
• Should MLMs (multi-level marketing companies) be illegal?
• Should employers be allowed to factor tattoos and personal appearance into hiring decisions?

In Conclusion – Argument Essay Topics

Using the tips above, you can effectively structure and pen a compelling argumentative essay that will wow your instructor and classmates. Remember to craft a thesis statement that offers readers a roadmap through your essay, draw on your sources wisely to back up any claims, and read through your paper several times before it’s due to catch any last-minute proofreading errors. With time, diligence, and patience, your essay will be the most outstanding assignment you’ve ever turned in…until the next one rolls around.

Looking for more fresh and engaging topics for use in the classroom? You might consider checking out the following:

• 125 Good Debate Topics for High School Students
• 150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics
• 7 Best Places to Study
• Guide to the IB Extended Essay
• How to Write the AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay
• AP Lit Reading List
• How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay
• 49 Most Interesting Biology Research Topics
• High School Success

Lauren Green

With a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Columbia University and an MFA in Fiction from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin, Lauren has been a professional writer for over a decade. She is the author of the chapbook  A Great Dark House  (Poetry Society of America, 2023) and a forthcoming novel (Viking/Penguin).

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• Science and Religion: Historical Relationship Words: 2500
• Religion and its Role in the Society Words: 1453
• The Impact of Religion in Society Words: 643
• Researching Religion in America Words: 656
• Religion and Politics: Eventual Separation Through Secularism Words: 2889
• Religion Role in the Society Words: 1090
• American Religion Now and Then Words: 2764
• Religion and Politics. The Just War Tradition Words: 1421
• Religion: Contexts and Characteristics Words: 550
• Islamic Culture, Politics and Religion Words: 2275
• Religion and Belief: Comprehensive Review Words: 2504
• Impact of Religion on Individuals, Society, and the World Words: 556
• “Introduction to World Religion” and “How to Study Religion” Words: 601
• Relationship Among the Religions Words: 953
• Religion as a Belief System: What Is It? Words: 1286
• Living Religions: Religion, Politics, and Society Words: 695
• A Definition of Religion Based on the William S. Green Words: 556
• Religion: Linking Humankind and Supernatural Words: 1142
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• Is Religion Still Vital for Society? Words: 1649
• The Different World Religion Summary Words: 1422

The Relationship between Religion and Politics

Religion and politics are regarded as very unlikely bedfellows in the contemporary world. This is contrary to previous civilizations where religion took a center stage in the day-to-day running of politics. This paper will look at the various stages of the relationship between religion and politics through various ages of civilization with emphasis on the factors that led religion and politics to take different roads, fight against each other and eventually learn to co-exist. The paper will look at how various civilizations have regarded religion and the extent to which religion has been allowed to influence the direction of politics. An observation is made that religion and politics have each found their own niche and decided to co-exist. From an individual’s perspective to a national perspective it is observable that when religion and politics became a basis of consideration at any one time, there emerges conflicts, discrepancies and disagreements. Therefore, in nations where politics is still strongly influenced by religion, there is a subtle understanding that there is a deliberate effort to overlook the conflicts.

Introduction

Politics relates to governance and refers to the processes by which governance is achieved, how leaders are chosen and how policies are postulated. Politics touches on the realization by a man that living within a society was better than living with each person for themselves. However, doing things together meant that there had to be some guiding protocol and that there had to be some figure and or institution to ensure constant maintenance of order. Religion on the other hand refers to the spiritual beliefs of individuals (Bruce, 2003). One observable similarity between the two is that they constitute important aspects of persons’ or societies’ existent. Politics was borne out of the need to establish a system of governance that would address all the plights and welfare of individuals within the society. Through the realization that not everybody could be a leader at any one time and that resources were limited, it became imperative to come up with a system to at least ensure those leadership procedures and division of resources were done in roughly a fair manner. Religion on the other hand was borne out of the need by man to understand and explain his surroundings. In a bid to understand the world man assumed that the unknown and unexplained phenomena around him must have been due to some supreme force. The man came to revere these forces and even assumed that the forces controlled his life and therefore it was man’s responsibility to recognize these forces in everything he did. All the aspects concerning these forces were summed up in a religion which was made up of the name given to the forces and the followers, the ways in which the forces were worshipped and the will of the forces towards man’s existence. Since there were so many things that man was unable to explain perhaps due to lack of understanding, the forces were believed to control all happenings in the world. As the man began to appreciate science and accept the findings and reproducibility of scientific facts, religion also began to lose ground. Politics had found a new friend in the form of science as leaders began to appreciate the political philosophies postulated by scholars because they were empirical in nature and therefore easy to understand.

Background to the Study

This study is supported by the realization that religion used to have a very strong influence on political issues and then suddenly at the advent of science and democracy, religion began to lose its basis in politics. However, science and democracy could not completely replace religion because religion constitutes an important aspect of a persons’ life. Science overtook religion in the circles of politics due to the realization that nations could not be governed just following doctrines blindly. Furthermore, religion could not promise the kind of assurance and democracy that science provided. In the contemporary world, most western nations recognize religion only by ensuring that there is freedom of religion. From this background, an analysis of religion and politics can be conducted to establish the specific factors that led to the current situation.

Significance of the Study

Religion and politics have and will continue to constitute important aspects in persons’ lives. There is a spiritual aspect to every individual and it is for this reason that each and every society conforms to some form of belief. Throughout the ages, there has been a general realization that every community has a spiritual perspective to it. Apart from the major religions; Christianity, Islam, Hindu and Jewish, there are still some forms of smaller religions. Therefore it is important to establish the kind of relationship that politics and religion have and the subsequent impact at the community and the national level.

Literature Review

As outlined by Roskin (2010), the important aspects that define nations include geography, politics and culture. Geography is just a physical aspect that defines aspects such as borders. Therefore, the two most important aspects of nations are politics and culture. Religion is embedded within the culture and therefore has direct contact with politics. According to Arronoff (1984), the relationship between politics and religion in contemporary society can be analyzed by looking at the concept of dualism. Apparently, this is the concept that finally ensured that politics and religion could co-exist peacefully with each of them running parallel to one another. The concept of dualism outlines that politics and religion should be viewed as independent entities. Furthermore, politics and religion should not have mutual influence. A brief flashback at history reveals that the Roman Catholic Church was once very influential in the running of politics in the Roman Empire. During this period the head of the Roman Church, the Pope served both as a spiritual and political leader. However, with civilization and the fall of the Roman Empire, the Pope lost most if not all of the political influence. The Anglican Church which is still considered the official church of England had the role of fulfilling spiritual needs but again stayed away from active politics. Almost all religions discussed by Arronoff show that some form of duality exists between politics and religion. Perhaps, the reason for such duality could be due to the realization that politics and religion were needs of all human beings and that one could not be used to run or determine the other. These realizations point to the fact that at some point it became important that religion and politics to establish a relationship that would ensure that both co-existed with one another. One important aspect of politics is the formulation of laws to govern the existence of individuals within a society and to outline penalties for individuals who violate the laws. Most laws are surprisingly made of doctrines that are obtained from religion. However, with democracy, most of these laws are being continuously reviewed in a bid to make them more fitting within the societal context. For instance, an aspect such as abortion which is strongly opposed by the major religions is acceptable by most western nations under various circumstances. The absoluteness of religion makes it rather impractical in the contemporary world where democracy is synonymous with civilization.

The United States perhaps offers a perfect example considering that it was founded on strong religious principles. The puritan Christians who played a role in shaping the American society during the early years ensured that the nation recognized the role played by religion. Laws were and policies were made with special consideration on whether they were in accordance with Puritan doctrines. The current American society shows a complete contrast where even teaching the Bible in schools is an offense. Considered as the greatest democracy in the world, it is understandable why religion lost its place in American politics. In religion laws and doctrines are passed, and followers are expected to adhere without asking any questions. However, as the American society evolved and responded to civilization and scientific advancements going on around the world, it became important to put various aspects into consideration instead of passing laws on the basis of faith. All religions profess the faith which implies that followers are supposed to believe without asking questions. Even in contentious issues such as the issue of gay marriages, people would rather base their arguments on grounds of being conventional and aspects such as the implications and consequences rather than on religion. (Brown-Calhoun & Wald, 2007).

Lijpart (1999), in analyzing the patterns of democracy around the world and the effects of these patterns, outlines that there is very little consideration of the roles played by religion in democracy. In fact, Lijpart outlines that democracy is the primary reason for the fall put between religion and politics. Just as explained by Brown-Calhoun & Wald in studying the American society, it is the democracy being sought after by the American people that make the American society less and less determined to involve religion in politics. The case study outlined by Lijpart indicates that fewer countries in Europe and America even refer to religion when addressing issues related to the formulation of policies. Lijpart points out that with globalization, communities have been compelled to co-exist with each other regardless of aspects such as cultural disparities. Therefore, the situation becomes more complicated when seeking to choose the religion from which to base politics. Democracy becomes an easier option since it is at least based on the consideration of most perspectives and eventually the majority of the population is contented regardless of whether they have different religious beliefs. In nations especially in the Middle East where religion still plays an important role in politics, there is the realization that the kind of leadership presented is somewhat dictatorial; dictatorial by the virtue that religion offers no room for negotiations. Since religion still forms an important aspect of human lives there had to be some form of relationship between religion and politics. According to Moyser (1991), dualism offers the best options as religion was relegated to just the personal level and politics in terms of democracy took control. Looking at the situation around the world currently, there is the realization that very few would even consider considering religion in politics. During the times when religion was strongly involved in politics, it was majorly at the level of ensuring that moral standards were upheld. Nations that still base their politics according to religion still use the same concept. A policy will be passed on the basis of whether it agrees with the moral guidelines of a particular religion. However, politics has become much more complex than just morals as evidenced by various case studies outlined by Lijpart (1999).

The general realization is that the current political environment has very little room any for religion. Politics is currently being guided by democracy and religion is rigid and water-tight. Instead of religion having a strong influence on politics, it is surprising that it is politics that is influencing the direction of religion. The current call from various quarters within the Anglican Church for the Church to allow gay marriages is just but one example. Traditional religious doctrines are based on clearly outlined laws either passed down from one generation to another or in religious books. However, as the world is changing and unique challenges are presenting themselves there is a general realization that sooner or later religion will also begin to embrace democracy. One concept that has stood out in analyzing the relationship between religion and democracy is the concept of dualism. Dualism allows for religion and politics to co-exist without interfering with each other. Dualism existed even in ancient civilizations, but the only difference was the side that it leaned on most. Initially, dualism leaned on religion and it was therefore upon religion to determine the kind of relationship it would have with politics. However, in the contemporary world dualism leans mostly on politics and therefore it is upon politics to determine the nature of the relationship. It is for this reason that politicians will determine whether a nation should allow for freedom of worship or not. There is even a distant feeling that religion might embrace politics when the decision by some religious groups is a consideration.

As outlined in the abstract in contemporary society religion and politics have not been very good bedfellows. Politics is a game of numbers and the decisions made when democracy is at play should be the will of the majority. However, religion does not consider numbers but rather concentrates on doctrines written in religious books or passed down from one generation to another. As the world faces newer challenges and scientific discoveries and theories disapprove of religious beliefs, religion is not just losing favor with politics but also with the masses. The man believed in religion as a way of explaining the things happening around him. Since there were so many things that man was unable to explain perhaps due to lack of understanding, the Supreme Being was believed to control all happenings in the world. As the man began to appreciate science and accept the findings and reproducibility of scientific facts, religion began to lose favor. Politics had found new friends in the form of science and politics as leaders began to appreciate the political philosophies postulated by scholars because they were empirical in nature and therefore easy to understand. Therefore, the major cause of the reduced participation of religion in political affairs is the lack of democratic opportunities within various religions.

Reference List

• Arronoff, J. M. (1984). Religion and Politics. New Jersey: Rutgers.
• Brown- Calhoun, A. & Wald, D. K. (2007). Religion and Politics in the United States. New York, NY: Rowman & Littlefield.
• Bruce, S. (2003). Politics and Religion. Cambridge: Polity Press.
• Lijpart, A. (1999). Patterns of Democracy: Government Forms and Performance in Thirty Six Countries . London: Yale University Press.
• Moyser, G. (1991). Politics and Religion in the Modern World. London: Routledge.
• Roskin, M.G. (2011). Countries and Concepts: Politics, geography, culture (11th ed.). New York: Longman ISBN-10: 0205778720; ISBN-13: 978-0205778720

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Religion Essay Topics: 40+ Interesting Ideas to Explore

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by  Antony W

December 8, 2023

There nothing more complicated under the sun than religion. It’s a system of belief packed with controversies, differing opinions, and thousands of questions about human origin and the meaning of life. Let’s not even get started on the fact that religion has been and continues to be a driver of ethnic disputes and endless wars between nations.

As confusing and sensitive as it is, religion opens up an opportunity to explore different topics, even in your essay assignment. From the existence of God and proof of a deity to the concepts of love and harmony in human existence, there’s no limit to what you can write about religion. You just have to find a topic that fascinates you and start working on it.

Key Takeaways

• Choose a topic that you can explore objectively without a stint of bias or emotional attachment.
• Remember, religion is a controversial subject that requires the use of appropriate language that sounds fair and respectful.

Best Religion Essay Topics

The following is a list of 50+ topic ideas that you may find interesting to explore in your religion essay assignments:

Christianity Essay Topics

• How Christian perspectives on same-sex relationships has evolved over time
• The concept of salvation, as well as how it differs among various Christian denominations
• Progress made regarding the role of women in leadership positions within Christian communities
• Ways Christian traditions have influenced and shaped Western literature throughout history
• How globalization has affected the formation and maintenance of Christian identity worldwide
• How does Christianity intersect with and contribute to various social justice movements?
• What were the lasting effects of the Protestant Reformation on the diversity and structure of Christianity?
• The theological perspectives on suffering within Christian traditions
• How the historical relationship between Christianity and science has evolved
• What aspects of Christian values remain relevant and essential in addressing modern societal challenges?
• Has the Bible served as the cornerstone for shaping and informing Christian theology throughout history?

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Society and Religion Topics

• How religion has historically influenced and shaped cultural norms across different societies
• What transformations have occurred within religious institutions due to the rise of secularism?
• How religion has played a role in various social justice movements throughout history and in contemporary times
• The dynamics and consequences of the intersection between religion and politics in today’s society
• How globalization has affected the diversity of religions and belief systems worldwide
• In what ways has technology affected religious practices and rituals in the modern era?
• Does religion generally promote or hinder efforts toward achieving gender equality, and why?
• How does religion affect educational systems and curriculum development?
• What are the challenges and opportunities posed by religious pluralism for fostering interfaith dialogue?
• What societal impacts emerge from religious fundamentalism in various parts of the world?
• How does religion influence mental health perceptions and treatments within different cultures?
• To what extent do religious beliefs shape attitudes and actions towards environmental sustainability?
• How have religious traditions influenced healthcare practices and medical ethics across different societies?

World Religion Essay Topics

• How do various world religions conceptualize the afterlife?
• Roles that prayer and meditation play across different world religions
• How religion has entangled with or contributed to instances of violence throughout history
• The ways in which globalization has affected the diversity and interactions of different religious beliefs and practices
• The portrayals of women within the narratives and teachings of various world religions
• How Eastern religions have influenced and contributed to the development of spiritual thought in Western societies?
• The significance of prophets and messengers within different world religions
• How does the concept of karma manifest differently in Hinduism and Buddhism
• Tracing the evolution and changes in religious beliefs and practices across different historical periods
• How monotheistic and polytheistic religions differ in their approaches to spirituality and understanding of the divine
• What impacts did colonization have on the indigenous religious traditions of different cultures?
• How world religions inspired or influenced artistic and architectural expressions throughout history

Islamic Religion Topics

• How has the rich history of Islamic civilizations contributed to global culture and knowledge?
• What fundamental changes might we anticipate in the world if Islam had not existed throughout history?
• How the West shaped and created an image of Islam
• The nature and extent of Islam’s influence on political structures and governance in various regions
• How we can redefine and perceive a woman’s role within Islamic teachings and practices
• Challenges that arise in integrating Islamic legal principles into modern legal systems
• Prevalent prejudices and misunderstandings exist about Islam and the way they affect societal perceptions
• Is there an inherent connection between Islam and traditionalism?

Religion Argumentative Essay Topics

• Does doctrinal competency influence religious practice and belief systems within various faiths?
• Should we consider abortion as permissible or is it an evil practice from a religions and legal perspective?
• Are there core beliefs and practices in the world’s major faiths?
• Is situation ethics necessary to uphold a moral code in modern society, and what implications does it have?
• Does the concept of rebirth resonate and evolve within contemporary societies?
• Are there any reliable religious perspectives on the moral and ethical considerations surrounding abortion?
• Is there evidence that Martin Luther really leave the Catholic Church?
• Is adversity and pain across religious teachings and cultures?
• Women should not hold any role within religious congregations.
• What societal, cultural, and individual factors contribute to the emergence and spread of new religions?
• How relevant is Zoroastrianism in addressing contemporary environmental issues?
• Explore and analyze non-theistic world faiths and their core principles.
• How do various world religions reconcile their beliefs with scientific advancements in the modern era?
• What perspectives do different religions hold regarding LGBTQ individuals, and how do these views vary globally?

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The Relationship between Religion and Politics in the United States

How it works

The relationship between religion and politics continues to be an important topic in modern American society. In a radical act, the Constitution not only guaranteed religious freedom; it also stated that the United States would not have a national church and would not have religious tests for national office[1]. However, in American political life, some factors enhance the role of religion in a way that is not observed in other developed countries. In the article " How Politics Affects Religion: Partisanship, Socialization, and Religiosity in America ," Michele F. Margolis highlights the theory of the life cycle of religion and politics. Scholars point out that social identities can shape political attitudes and behaviors.

This article explores the feedback on whether there are strong sides to party identity influencing engagement in a politically crucial social group. Politics can affect the level of religiosity at a particular time in their lives. The article " Christian Theology and Attitudes Toward Political and Religious Ideological Groups " examines the influence of Christian theology on the attitudes toward different ideological groups, both political and religious. These articles address some of the problems that arise in different ways between religion and politics[2]. In the United States, religious identity often correlates with political identity because religious differences are visible in party politics.

Politics is not only a competition for power and not only a selection of performers; it is a base of values on how to live together. In many ways, today's America is more Christian than any previous historical moment. Christianity is responsible for how our society is organized and how we currently live. Christian contribution is extensive to our laws, economics, politics, arts, calendar, holidays, and moral and cultural priorities.

In the article " How Politics Affects Religion: Partisanship, Socialization, and Religiosity in America ," Michele F. Margolis examines how a party identity affects the involvement of an important social group in politics. Religion is not only identity but is often the main component of political views in the United States. The relationship between religion and politics has changed dramatically over the last four decades. A new party coalition is created based on religiosity or religious participation. Religious socialization shows that people's relationships with religion – marked by membership and involvement in formal institutions change as they develop and age. The religious life-cycle theory argues that teenagers and young adults distance themselves from the religion they were raised in and the general religious practice. Across multiple generations, young adults are the least likely to identify with a religious tradition, attend religious services, pray, and report religion being an essential part of their lives. After comparing statistics, data shows that from 1965 to 1973, students from both Republican and Democratic parties attended church nearly twice less often. There is usually a noticeable return to religion and to religious participation after marriage and when educating children, but sometimes it doesn't happen at all[3]

Party spirit can affect religiosity. "The 'impressionable years ' hypothesis claims that adolescents and young adults are highly impressionable. It further states that outside influences and events can shape young people's political outlooks, including partisan identification"[4]. The party-hood developing in young people's lives is more than a political party, a powerful identity that often lasts a lifetime and influences other settings and behavior. The partnership generates economic assessments, confidence in the government, and a sense of fairness in elections, consumption, and spending.

In America, the Republican party is associated with organized religious groups and religious values, while the Democratic party is considered less religious and offers more liberal points of view. As religiosity became relevant to politics, religious voters became republicans, and less religious voters became democrats. The life cycle theory explains that politicians can form a religious choice of the parties for their advantage to get votes. Politics can affect the level of religiosity at a particular time or stage of our life.

George Yancey, Marie A. Eisenstein, and Ryan P. Burge, in "Christian Theology and Attitudes Toward Political and Religious Ideological Groups," have shown the influence of Christian theology on attitudes towards different ideological groups, both political and religious[5]. The study describes how religious affiliation, behavior, and belief in the United States affect voting and political party affiliation. Progressive Christians more often show an unfavourable attitude towards groups with political differences than conservative Christians. "The values of progressive Christians and their denominations have moved from absolutism claims to an emphasis on tolerance and acceptance." On the other hand, conservative Christians more often show a negative attitude toward groups with religious differences than progressive Christians[6].

Therefore, theological differences between Christians are often divided into different levels of conservatism and progressivism. Rationality and human wisdom are essential when making choices and facing different social problems. Conservative Christians, as opposed to progressive, rely on " authoritative scripture as the last word of their moral vision ." They stick to traditional thinking, according to which their beliefs should match with the information in the Bible. The importance of God's word is a valuable indicator of the various Christian views that form their attitude towards other political or religious groups. Adopting the Bible as the most significant authority makes conservative Christians less prepared to be flexible in their search for truth. "This critical theological difference means conservative Christians are less likely to adopt modern social innovations such as same-sex marriage, abortion and divorce due to their allegiances to traditional values and practices in the Bible."

Those who adopt a progressive form of Christianity may prioritize political goals more than those adopting a conservative Christian ideology[7]. Although the United States is at the same time religiously diverse and very religious, "interreligious relations exhibit more comity than conflict."Modern Democrats usually refer to values of justice, tolerance, and the republicans to traditional conservative views.

In America, religion is an essential part of social life. Despite the constitutional dividing wall between church and state, national politicians refer to religion in great speeches. The President always asks God to bless America, sending his prayers to the disaster victims, accepting religious leaders, and praising religious values. Such propaganda of religion is unheard of in Europe. However, it may be because the majority is not religious, and the native populations, as opposed to immigrants, are not very religious.

The Christians of the United States, under the banner of "the moral majority," have made a significant movement to influence political leaders since the 1970s and introduced religion into a political debate[8]. Immigrants' religious disposition means they are receptive to the conservative spiritual message and can be persuaded to vote across class lines. By doing that, they support a plan that favors the wealthy and makes them even poorer. American politicians talk a lot about religion. Nevertheless, they have nothing to do with theocracy, such as the Taliban. Paradoxically, the US conservatives went to war in Afghanistan to separate religion from politics abroad while striving to unite religion and politics at home. Many poor people in America risk losing their economic interests by voting for republican politicians interested in further concentrating wealth in the hands of the rich. They do so partially because the republicans appeal to their religious ideology.

Studies show that democrats are less religious than republicans. This pattern arose from religious beliefs affecting the political identity, but there is also a reverse relationship. These articles show that political identities can form religious relations. Party-hood tends to crystallize at a young age and early adulthood when most young people in the United States move away from the religion in which they were brought up and religious practice in general. However, young people must decide whether to stay out of religion or return to the religious sphere when they move into adulthood. Political identity, which for many has been built since their young years, can help to form a new spiritual identity. Religious belonging increases suffering among the poor since poverty is associated with increased religiousness. The worse their living conditions are, the greater chances they will support the leading party. This seems to be another great reason for separating the church from the state.

Party divisions for republicans and democrats do not simply reflect social disagreements, but they also help to create them. Americans can rely on their commitment to religious decisions as long as parties and party elites recognize differences in issues related to religion and morals. The life cycle theory explains when politics most likely affects religion at the individual level, rejecting the assumption that politics should have a single effect on different types of people.

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Politics and Religion Interdependence Essay

The leadership and moral guidance across the world have been influenced by both politics and religion. While the close interaction between the two has yielded positive results in some countries, there are significant setbacks that have been experienced as well. This essay offers a literature review on religion and politics by accentuating the interdependence of the notions and the effects of religion on politics.

It has been quite challenging for religion to operate harmoniously with politics. However, Aronoff (42) is quite categorical that many political structures and notions are based on religious ideals. As a matter of fact, there seem to be closer ties between the roles played by both religion and politics especially in most western states. It has also been a common practice among individual politicians who seek support from various religious affiliations. Nonetheless, some of these politicians are known to use these religious blocs as their major means of ascending to power (Bernardin et al 36)

At some point, it may be cumbersome to separate these two institutions especially on the basis of their practices. For instance, it is worth to mention that political integrity is a requirement for those vying for political offices, especially in most developed countries. On the same note, religion demands integrity on all forms of engagement (Hoelzl and Ward 74)

The main demerit of religious engagements with politics is that religious principles are meant to be fixed and cannot be compromised at all. Nonetheless, political affiliations and principles are usually flexible. This stark contrast explains why religious differences between Islam and Christianity have been in place since time immemorial (Kelly and Messina 19).

In any case, the tension that exists between Islam and Christianity in some countries has largely been worsened by political intrigues and sentiments when religious leaders politicize the fundamental beliefs of their religions. This scenario explains why the interaction between religion and politics is complicated (Mews 27).

According to Norris and Inglehart (88), religious beliefs and traditions are significant components that tend to significantly influence people’s identity. On the same note, political affiliations and fanaticism are also built on these frameworks. Moreover, the concept of the secularization of religion is indeed real bearing in mind that most religious platforms cannot do well in world politics is such religions are not secularized.

In such a case, it implies that contemporary politics have remarkably secularized religion to an extent that the latter is gradually losing its focus (Wald and Calhoun-Brown 51). Moreover, present-day social development has also been shortchanged because most aspects of religion are no longer being pursued. The American society provides a typical example of a devastating religious footing since it is pluralistic in relation to religion and it is also the ground for using different religious visions in the political struggle (Perry 60).

Besides, the problems associated with the management of theocratic states are attributed to the existence of a thin line between religion and politics. Such states have already lost their political powers and as such, they are being run by religious authorities (Ponsonby 74). There are some theocratic states such as Israel that significantly rely on religious laws and principles to run their governments. In such cases, both religion and politics have been completely harmonized and therefore, limited political upheavals and discontent are experienced (Sharkansky 44).

In conclusion, it is evident that religion and politics are two important social institutions that cannot be ignored in the contemporary world. In addition, the positive and negative effects of the close interaction between these two entities largely depend on how they are socially established in a state.

Works Cited

Aronoff, Myron J. Religion and Politics . New Jersey: Transaction Publishers, 1984. Print.

Bernardin, Joseph et al. Religion in Politics . USA: Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, 1987. Sound Recording.

Hoelzl, Michael, and Graham Ward. Religion and Political Thought . London: Continuum, 2006. Print.

Kelly, Michael, and Lynn Messina. Religion in Politics and Society . New York: H.W. Wilson Co., 2002. Print.

Mews, Stuart. Religion in Politics: A World Guide . Harlow: Longman, 1989. Print.

Norris, Pippa, and Ronald Inglehart. Sacred and Secular: Religion and Politics Worldwide . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Print.

Perry, Michael J. Religion in Politics: Constitutional and Moral Perspectives . New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1999. Print.

Ponsonby, Arthur. Religion in Politics . USA: L. Parsons, 1921. Print.

Sharkansky, Ira. The Politics of Religion and the Religion of Politics: Looking at Israel . USA: Lexington Books, 2000. Print.

Wald, Kenneth D., and Allison Calhoun-Brown. Religion and Politics in the United States . USA: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2011. Print.

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