Religion is an organized system of beliefs, practices, rules, and ceremonies used to worship a god or groups of gods. Religion as an organization has an overall leader who is normally elected by a special council of church leaders. From this we see that the church has defined structures that enable it to carry out its tasks. On the other hand, the state is an organization that is the governing authority of a political unit. The leader of a state is normally elected by the majority. This shows how religion is closely related to the state in terms of structures and management. The relationship between religion and the state is a very important topic that helps establish the political philosophy of a state. However, at a certain point religious needs come into conflict with the political philosophy of the state. For example, in the case of Islam which requires absolute obedience to the will of Allah. In most cases, religious beliefs and practices support state policy in many ways, since the moral and ethical norms taught by the church thus strengthen faith in the state. promote good governance even if the extent of form and support can be a source of conflict in the state (Martin, n.d.). The intersection of religion and politics in a state is therefore of great concern as it determines the sustainability and coexistence of a state and helps resolve philosophical issues such as faith versus separation of church and state, tolerance versus coercion of religious beliefs, and conflicts between practice religious authority and political authority, liberal citizenship and its demands for self-understanding, and the role of religion in political deliberation. Religion has played a key role in the political life of various states...... middle of paper ... ...religious involvement in state governance, I agree with the involvement of religion in governance for peace, conformity, coercion and tolerance, ethics and morals which it emphasizes thus promoting good governance. Works Cited Flood, G. D. (2012). The Importance of Religion: Meaning and Action in Our Strange World. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.Martin.R.(nd).Religious Freedom and Conflict. A review of the evidence. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://www.thearda.com/workingpapers/download/USAID%20Religion%20and%20Conflect%20Final%20Report%209-18-12.pdfBingham.J.(2012). Christians must choose between religion and respect for the law, says equalities chief Trevor Phillips. The telegraph. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9088352/Christians-must-choose-between-religion-and-obeying-law-says-equalities-chief-Trevor-Phillips. html