Religion and state need to be in balance to protect democracy in South Africa

The image of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president, on a window at Regina Mundi Cathedral in Soweto. Willem van Valkenburg/Flickr

The relationship between religion and the law is often complicated. It is sometimes even conflicted. At the heart of the matter lies the tension between freedom of belief and association, and protection from abuse.

For example, the state has a responsibility to intervene when the beliefs or practices of religious individuals or communities are harmful or unlawful.