ABSTRACT
Union of religion and state? Separation of religion and state? These are two clear positions, each claiming to be the best for the creative welfare of humankind. At least in the mind of the masses, the union of religion and state position appears to be represented by Islam, and the separation position by Christianity; and, in the example of Israel, Judaism occupies an ambiguous in-between position. It is important to look at least briefly at the complexity of the relationship between the state and religion in order to address the fundamental question about which relationship between religion and state is the most beneficial to humanity. It is examined with Christianity and Islam as the two prime examples, although Judaism, with Israel as a modern experiment, will also be kept in view. Rather than regaining former 'Islamic Gloiy', the Islamists are thereby insuring that their nations will remain no more than third-class societies.
