Avoiding the Destruction of the Third Temple: Separating State and Religion

“Avoiding the Destruction of the Third Temple: Separating State and Religion”, in Yossi Goldstein (ed.), Religion Nationalism: The Struggle for Modern Jewish Identity, An Interdisciplinary Annual (Ariel: Ariel University, 2014), pp. 170-189.

20 Pages Posted: 22 Sep 2014

See all articles by Raphael Cohen-Almagor

Raphael Cohen-Almagor

University of Hull; Middle East Study Centre; Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Date Written: September 1, 2014

Abstract

Values can come into conflict: promoting individual freedom may entail intolerance towards illiberal groups, while promoting tolerance of illiberal groups may entail accepting restrictions on the freedom of individuals. What should be done in such cases?

In Israel at present, some religious practices are offensive to the sensibilities of women and involve coercion. Coercion conflicts with the liberal elements of democracy that vouchsafes the rights of individuals. One of these is the right to follow one’s conscience and to practice one's beliefs as one sees fit, as long as this practice does not entail harm to others. This paper argues for separation between state and religion, deeming it necessary to avoid coercion and allowing people to pursue their conceptions of the good as long as they do not harm others. Israel today gives precedence to Judaism over liberalism. I submit that the reverse should be the case.

Keywords: Israel, Judaism, women rights, human rights, coercion, tolerance, liberal democracy, Jewish democracy

JEL Classification: Z00

Suggested Citation

Cohen-Almagor, Raphael and Cohen-Almagor, Raphael, Avoiding the Destruction of the Third Temple: Separating State and Religion (September 1, 2014). “Avoiding the Destruction of the Third Temple: Separating State and Religion”, in Yossi Goldstein (ed.), Religion Nationalism: The Struggle for Modern Jewish Identity, An Interdisciplinary Annual (Ariel: Ariel University, 2014), pp. 170-189. , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2499003

Raphael Cohen-Almagor (Contact Author)

University of Hull ( email )

Cottingham Road
Hull, Great Britain HU6 7RX
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.hull.ac.uk/faculties/staff-profiles/raphael-cohen-almagor.aspx

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars ( email )

One Woodrow Wilson Plaza
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004
United States

Middle East Study Centre ( email )

Cottingham Road
Hull, HU6 7RX
United Kingdom
0044-1482 465024 (Phone)
0044-1482-466208 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://hcc.haifa.ac.il/~rca

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
47
Abstract Views
550
PlumX Metrics