The origin of the
concept
The term "secularism" was first used by the British writer George Jacob Holyoake in 1851. Holyoake invented the term secularism to describe his views of promoting a social order separate from religion, without actively dismissing or criticizing religious belief. An agnostic himself, Holyoake argued that "Secularism is not an argument against religion, it is a standard by itself. It does not question the legitimacy of religion. Secularism does not say there is no light or guidance elsewhere, but maintains that there is light and guidance in secular truth, whose conditions and sanctions exist independently. Therefore secularism is not equal to atheism.
Holyoake did not merely coin the phrase, but also gave
following principles of secularism.
1. Science as the true guide of
man.
2. Morality as secular, not
religious in origin.
3. Reason the only authority.
4. Freedom of thought and speech
5. Owing to the “uncertainty of survival” we should direct our efforts to this life only.
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| Secularism |
Modern understanding
of secularism
Refer, Andrew Copson,
Secularism: Politics, Religion and Freedom.
Key points of modern secularism.
1. Secularism is not the same thing as atheism or
humanism
You don’t have to have a non-religious view of life to be secular. Secularism is a political principle, any one can hold it. It’s a way of having freedom in diverse society. Secularism is not just separation of state from religion, although it might include that. Its freedom of religion, maximizing freedom within the rights of others. Its also protecting people from discrimination on the grounds of their religious affinity.
2. Secularism is not all of one type.
There are different sorts of secularism. It
depends on the national history and culture of the people where its instituted.
In America it’s to protect religion from
the power of the state.
In France it’s to protect people/state from
the power of religion.
In India it’s to protect one religion from another.
3. Secularism is not an abstract political principle. Secularism has made the lives of people better. It is secularism that put an end to religious wars in Europe. Just imagine India without secularism.
4. One of the stereotypes of secularism is that it’s oppressive of religious people, and its atheist in government. They give china as an example, Soviet Union before it, but china is not an example of secular state, secularism is having the state completely separate from any ideology or religion or doctrine, china has Marxist atheism. That is not a secular state. It is flip side of a religious state.
5. Can a Hindu, Muslim, Christian be secular? Yes. They may be ardent about their religion in their private lives, but when it comes to the shared life they recognize secularism as a fairest political principle.
6. Its not just non-religious people like, Thomas Jefferson or Nehru who held on to it. Even ardent religious people like Gandhi in India; Jimmy carter in united states
7. Secularism is not just an academic topic to be discussed and debated, but it hits peoples daily lives in a number of ways, what sort of schools we can have, what do we teach children in the schools, how we are going to govern ourselves, who is going to sit in our parliament, what sort of rules should we have etc.
Secularism in India
Refer, R. A.
Jahagirdar, Secularism (Collected works)
India is a secular state. Donald Eugene Smith in his book India as a Secular State suggests the
adoption of a working definition of a secular State. We could also consider
that as a working definition.
He says,
“a secular State is a State which guarantees
individual and corporate freedom of religion,
deals with the individual as a citizen
irrespective of his religion,
is not constitutionally connected to a particular religion
nor does it seek either to promote or interfere with religion.”
For India, the distinction between a secular State and a secular society is very important. One
must note that it is possible for a State to be secular without the society
itself being secular. In other words, members of a society who form a
particular State may not be secular in their habits and approach to life but
the State of which they form a part may as a political entity remain aloof from
religion in governance and managing its institutions. Look at the structure of
a few non-secular states. Pakistan is an Islamic Republic. Pakistan proclaims
that sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to Allah, the Almighty alone.
It must be further noted that no person other than a Musalaman can be the head
of the State of Pakistan. No law which is repugnant to the injunctions of Islam
as laid down in the Holy Quran and other sacred texts can be enacted in
Pakistan. These features of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have remained
constant despite the fact that there have been changes of regime from time to
time. The Constitution of Burma recognises Buddhism as the State religion.
Similarly, Nepal has been proclaimed a Hindu State.
If we examine broadly all the features
of the Indian Constitution it is possible to say that India is a secular state
in the sense that
1. No particular religion is prescribed as
the state-religion;
2. No preferential treatment is envisaged
to any religion or to people professing any particular religion; and
3. The right of worship is given to
persons professing all religions.
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