SECULARISM
Secularism, a worldview or political principle that separates religion from
other realms of human existence, often putting greater emphasis on nonreligious
aspects of human life or, more specifically, separating religion from the
political realm. A precise definition of secularism is difficult to
formulate, even for scholars. The Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor, for
example, has observed that “it is not entirely clear what is meant by
secularism. There are indeed quite different formulae that go under the
name.” Its definition is complicated by two sometimes overlapping meanings
of secularism in different contexts and by the related terms secular and
secularization. Scholars have a general approach to this knotty family of
terms. The secular refers to the realm of human affairs outside religion,
particularly as a modern way of living in and understanding a supposedly
modern world that values individual subjectivity and scientific
rationalization. Secularization has to do with a historical process in
which religious belief and practice decline. Secularism refers generally to
a philosophical worldview that shows indifference toward or rejects
religion as a primary basis for understanding and ethics, encapsulating but
not identical to atheism. In political contexts, secularism comes in many
forms but broadly consists of a modern secular nation-state’s official
policies on its relation to and oversight of religion. IN SHORT IT IS AN
UTOPIA.
Secularism is a political idea concerned with the best way to
govern religiously pluralist societies. The model of secularism we advocate
for defends the civil liberties of all, whatever your personal beliefs. The
principles of secularism which protect and underpin liberal democracy and
many of the freedoms we enjoy are:
Equality so that our religious beliefs or lack of them doesn't put any of
us at an advantage or a disadvantage.
Freedom to practise one's religion or belief without harming others, or to
change it or not have one, according to one's own conscience.
Separation of religious institutions from state institutions and a public
sphere where religion may participate, but not dominate.
The separation of religion and state is a key principle of secularism. It
ensures the independence and autonomy of religious institutions from
government influence and vice versa. It removes any formal connection
between religious organisations and the state's political affairs,
preventing the establishment of an official state religion.
If we were to become a truly a secular democracy, political structures
would reflect the reality of modern Britain by separating religion from the
state.
Secularism protects freedom of religion or belief for all
Secularism safeguards freedom of religion or belief and ensures that the
government does not favour any particular religion or impose religion on
its citizens.
A secular state seeks to ensure and protect freedom of belief and practice
for all citizens. Secularists want freedoms of thought and conscience to
apply equally to all – religious believers and nonreligious alike.
Secularism seeks to defend the absolute freedom of religious and other
belief, and protect the right to manifest religious belief insofar as it
does not impinge on the rights and freedoms of others. Secularism ensures
that the right of individuals to freedom of religion is always balanced by
the right to be free from religion.
In a secular democracy all citizens are equal before the law and
parliament. No religious affiliation gives advantages or disadvantages and
religious believers are citizens with the same rights and obligations as
anyone else.
Secularism champions the principle of one law for all and universal human
rights above religious demands. It upholds equality laws that protect
women, LGBT people and minorities from religious discrimination. These
equality laws ensure that the nonreligious and religiously unconcerned have
the same rights as those who identify with a religious or philosophical
belief.
Atheism is the absence of belief in gods. Secularism simply provides a
framework for a democratic society. Atheists have an obvious interest in
supporting secularism, but secularism itself does not seek to challenge the
tenets of any religion or belief, neither does it seek to impose atheism on
anyone.
Secularism provides a vital framework for ensuring equality, freedom and
fairness throughout society – in politics, education, the law and elsewhere
– for religious believers and the nonreligious alike.
Religious people have the right to express their beliefs publicly but so do
those who oppose or question those beliefs. Religious beliefs, ideas and
organisations must not enjoy privileged protection from the right to
freedom of expression. In a democracy, all ideas and beliefs must be open
to discussion. Individuals have rights; ideas do not.
We all share hospitals, schools, the police and the services of local
authorities. It is essential that these public services are secular at the
point of use, so no-one is disadvantaged or denied access on grounds of
religious belief or non-belief. All state-funded schools should be fully
inclusive and secular in character, with children being educated together
regardless of their parents' religious beliefs. When a public body grants a
contract for the provision of services to an organisation affiliated to a
particular religion or belief, such services should be delivered neutrally,
without discrimination and with no attempt to promote the ideas of that
faith group.
Secularism fosters a society where individuals are free to practise their
religions and to express their beliefs freely, but where no single religion
dominates or influences the decisions and policies of the government. It is
the best chance we have to create a society in which people of all
religions or none can live together fairly and peacefully. ALL OF YOU HEARD
THE UTOPIA?
Suppose secularism is used to gain political votes and
anti-democratic, conversions and the subversions, well it is
unconstitutional.
K Rajaram IRS 15724 16724
On Sun, 14 Jul 2024 at 20:47, Markendeya Yeddanapudi <
markandeya101...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Secularism means freedom to every religion.Suppose my religion says that
> your religion is bad and that it is my religious duty to destroy your
> religion and go on calling you names on mikes also.Suppose my religion
> makes all fundamental rights non applicable as per the religious
> text.Then...
> YM
>
> --
> *Mar*
>
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