In India, what does "Secularism" mean? Whence comes this pervasive, purportedly enunciated, pseudo “religious” acrimony?
Did the British in India create the word "secularism" to characterise their hegemony of disposition to rule? The idea that it signifies "no religion" is a common misunderstanding. The term "secularism" refers to the concept of "separation of state and religious institutions." Yes, but how much distance? While the state should not be used to promote any one religion, this does not imply that all faiths are created equal, perhaps, in the “allusion” of semantics. In reality, nations like Iran or Saudi Arabia might adopt secularism if there were no prejudice against other religions. Voila – seminal confluence? Or excessively optimistic, aren’t we?
Equal protection under the law is the first step towards this goal, and the second is unrestricted freedom of expression. Because of this, there are a number of laws in place to prevent acts of hatred. And what about the freedom to worship as one chooses? Why do some individuals feel they need to disguise their identities in public if they have the freedom to exercise that right openly? Whether that is required is a question we must answer. Is it conceivable that they are hesitant to speak out because they believe they may be prosecuted for blasphemy or iconoclasm of superficially magnified humans as deities or other acts that go counter to the views of the majority?
At the moment, "maybe" a few Indian political parties share a position: they all wish to keep religion out of politics. Again? Bummer! Plausible or not? Do you believe that to be true? Perhaps a rhetorical strategy of political ascendancy from the distant past? They promise to protect people's right to practise whatever faith they want. They argue that the government “should” respect people's freedom of choice. One wants to hope it’s not verbal tokenism!
Nevertheless, in practise, this state of affairs exists only on paper. Yet, members of many faiths have divergent opinions and pursue their goals in life accordingly. In and of themselves, differences are not problematic; the problem arises when they fuel prejudice and violence.
When confronted with criticism, religious societies often respond negatively. They want the state to safeguard their religious freedoms. But what about the duties that fall upon them? Is there mutual respect for individual freedoms, or is there an attempt to force one's will on others? The result has been a great deal of tension between many faiths.
Considering the country's size and diversity, it's difficult for all Indians to adhere to a single faith. People may be found throughout the world who follow any number of faiths, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Many people identify themselves as atheists instead. Do you want to imply that we should give due regard to each and every one of these faiths? Isn't it sufficient to ensure that all people, regardless of faith, enjoy basic human rights?
One may certainly respect the rights of others without automatically endorsing their whole worldview. If this is the case, then why isn't secularism the norm rather than the exception? Despite expectations, secularism is not the norm. When people struggle to articulate their thoughts about their religion, they typically prefer silence. In their silence, additional questions are raised.
If the rise of religious fanatics is so alarming, why haven't more people speak out against it? Extremists often go after anyone who expresses their disapproval. In addition, those who keep quiet are seen as timid.
There are secularists out there, but they don't feel safe speaking out about it. What can be done, however, until people cease worrying about being persecuted for challenging religious beliefs? When will it be safe for individuals to talk about their faith without worrying about repercussions?
The vast majority of our country's population identifies as either Hindu or Muslim. Not everyone must adhere to Judaism or Christianity. Everyone has the freedom to practise whichever faith they believe will bring them the most joy in life. It's ironic that religion, which should bring harmony to the world, often leads to strife instead.
The topic of whether "Pluralism" is synonymous with "Secularism" is often raised.
No, not quite. The word "plurality" describes a state of having many different things. This means that pluralism is a philosophy that celebrates differences. In the United States, for instance, people of many different races and ethnicities live side by side. The variety of this civilization is a source of great pride for its inhabitants. Yet, how does this relate to debates about religious freedom? The majority of our government officials and bureaucrats have had their education in India, which has led to a swell of nationalistic pride on their part. Yet, many confuse "Hindu" with "secular," and vice versa. A lot of atheists and agnostics in India don't feel welcome because of the strong religious culture here. They're made to feel like and are treated like strangers. They don't consider themselves to be Indian, hence they can't help the nation progress.
Where do we find the solution then? Is it possible for India to become an openly secular state? If we accomplished that, how would it affect our progress in society and the economy?
Give me a moment while I offer you some illustrations.
If all Indians could practise their faiths freely, there would be less animosity against them. They would have a deep sense of national pride and be committed to making significant contributions to the development of their country.
Hindu customs and rituals date back many hundreds of years. We shouldn't let them go into history; instead, why don't we do our best to keep them alive?
The members of a multi-religious community may gain insight and insight from one another. Tolerance and mutual respect provide the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community.
The democracy in India is the youngest in the world. A person's social status, religious beliefs, or gender; are all equally protected by our constitution.
As an example for other nations, we should become completely secular. It's possible that we'll be the world's first secular country.
Now, however, the most pressing matters. We must further our own education.
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