How can we ensure that minority voices are heard and respected in a community's decision-making process?

That's a big question that I'm not sure I have the station to speak to. I would only (weakly) compare it to how the US has attempted to make our system a "Christian Democracy" which has yet to demonstrate an actual positive effect. In all fairness, it hasn't gone fully in that direction due to its opponents' objections, so we don't know what would happen. It could also be argued that secular democracy hasn't either, and neither show signs of improving the well-being of the entire nation.

It feels messy, overall. I think there's a question of power…  Read more that comes to the forefront of how things work and who, how, why, and when it's given or received. I fear abuse of power and corruption would topple the democracy where individuals and groups of people sought unloving things in the name of some deity(s) or even in the name of themselves.