On: Egypt: The Next India or the Next Pakistan?

[danmaz74]

In western cultures, "Democracy" really means "Liberal democracy" [1]. Separation of church and State is a pillar of Liberal democracy.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_democracy

[nfg → danmaz74]

So the UK isn't a “democracy” in the western sense then?

[danmaz74 → nfg]

In practice, the legislative, executive and judiciary powers are separated from the church there too. But formally, yes, that could be a subject of debate.

[abrahamsen → nfg]

I'm from Denmark, which like UK has a hereditary head of state as well as an official state church. Neither are really consistent with our democratic ideals, and not something we try to encourage when engaging in state building.

[eriksank → nfg]

Perhaps we should ask the next Lord Defender of the Faith if he agrees to separations in his church and his state. I wouldn't mind a choicy piece of Wales and Scotland for myselves ;-)