ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to deal with points of congruence and friction between the perspectives of religious people and the principles of democracy. It distinguishes between adherence to "abstract" principles of democracy and democratic positions when an actual contradiction arises. The fact that democracy has survived and even advanced in Israel, where the Jewish religion plays a salient, influential role, shows that a strict, demanding religion can be integrated into a stable democratic system. The political function of public debate between religious and secular parties is, therefore, rather limited. The total and social nature of religiosity curbed the passing of voters from religious to secular parties. The religious and the ultra-Orthodox parties have played a key role in the Israeli political system. Analysis of the attitudes of the general population indicates that religious beliefs are more commonly maintained than religious observance.
