Christianity and Democracy

Abstract

The relationship between Christianity and politics has been diverse, still keeping a constant point: the limitation of political order compared to religious one. This limitation looked as dependence of political power from religious power or as relative autonomy. The latter mode inspires the view of relationship between Christianity and politics in the last 50 years, a view which favors democracy. Even though democracy imposed itself outside the churches and often again their will, it is not difficult to recognize a decisive Christian inspiration for the principles of freedom, equality and dignity of the people. The acknowledgment of this inspiration must not lead again to control and supremacy of the church against the state. On the other hand, democracy must not fight against Christianity as carrier of absolute truth, which would not be compatible with relativism of democratic method. Christianity is able to protect the principle of freedom. Consequently it can avoid to impose any truth and can consolidate those principles.