Church-State Relations in Western Societies Essay

Church-State Relations in Western Societies - Essay Example Hence, such influence may impact on the development of Muslim communities and practices. Post 9/11, however, such influence has metamorphosed to interference even in religious and social organizations and institutions so much so that the Muslim communities in these states feel discriminated not only due to the differences in treatment as against the majority community but also as against treatment meted out to other minority groups such as the Sikhs and the Jews. Anti-terror legislations give law enforcement agencies sweeping powers to inspect individuals, organizations and institutions making members of the Muslim community feel insecure and marginalized. Coupled with other interference in cultural practices such as the wearing of hijab by Muslim school girls, the heat of the state's interferences in their exclusive domain has alienated the community to an extent where it has become difficult to gauge the feelings and intentions of a patriot from a paranoid (Jocelyne Cesari, p65). In a climate dominated by fears of international Islamic terrorism, an oscillation in French public policy between including the diversity of Muslims and favoring specific tendencies has shaped the state organization of Islam (Jocelyne Cesari, p73). Also, different countries in Europe have different opinion and attitudes on Islam. ... Also, different countries in Europe have different opinion and attitudes on Islam. Germany, Britain, and Spain recognize Islam. But some countries like France do not recognize Islam and do not have any Islamic institutions like school in their country. On the whole, the attitude is one of disapproval and discouragement where Islam is concerned. One study conducted by Cornell University in 2004 revealed that 44 percent of Americans surveyed were not opposed to the restriction of certain basic civil liberties in the case of Muslims (Jocelyne Cesari, ch3). Muslim communities, in particular, are currently subject to unprecedented levels of intervention and regulation by the British State. There has been deepening of the 'moral panic' about those allegedly 'in' but not 'of' the West. (Jocelyne Cesari, ch4). Muslim Bureaucratic and parochial leaders Muslim community leaders have invariably been lay leaders and not, strictly speaking, qualified or qualified religious leaders. Their authority is largely drawn from a cultural capital that overlaps with traditional leadership. They may or may not be literate and their nomination in the bureaucracy and religious hierarchy may depend on their popularity ((Jocelyne Cesari, p62). Mismatch in the leadership does not augur well for any community for developmental purpose. Also, unqualified parochial leadership often tends to generate more heat than light. In such environment, it is difficult to objectively work towards progressive goals. The governments in western nations ask for capable and coherent leadership. In western states, the church has played pivotal roles because of qualified religious leaders and capable corporate leaders. In the United

Discuss how the American criminal justice system has impacted the Essay

Discuss how the American criminal justice system has impacted the Black community, 1880-2011 - Essay Example One can find extensive research material on African American criminal justice system. There is a great inequality visible in the criminal justice system of America. It has been pointed out by Pastore and Maguire (2000) that African Americans comprise of only 12 percent of U.S total population but they make 29.7 of all arrests. Since beginning of the court system in America, black people have been given fewer privileges and rights. Dred Scott decision considered the black slaves as property of their masters who purchased and brought them to America. According to one report of Justice Department, quoted by Free (2003), illustrates that number of African American youth is six times more than that of white people found in jails. These black criminals often get harsher punishments than White criminals. These disparities are crystal clear when comparison is made between non-Hispanic African American females and non-Hispanic White criminal females arrested by authorities (Beck & Karberg, 20 01). With passage of time, the condition of these detained African American criminals has worsened . It has been found that when cases of these people are brought into courts they mostly take more time than the cases related to white criminals.