Understanding Secularism (Class 8 | Civics)
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The document discusses the concept of secularism, particularly in the context of Indian history and its constitutional mandate to separate religion from state affairs. It highlights the importance of secularism in preventing discrimination and ensuring freedom of belief while contrasting Indian secularism's approach to that of American secularism. Various strategies employed by the Indian state to uphold secularism, such as intervention and non-interference, are also mentioned.
Understanding Secularism (Class 8 | Civics)
- 2. Introduction History has witnessed all the gruesome discrimination, persecution, exclusion, & torture done to people based on the religion they follow. In the present civilized world, matters like this can be strictly prevented to safeguard communities & protect a person's rights.
- 3. Example: • Jews were persecuted in Hitler's Germany and were killed. • In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims are not allowed to build temples, churches, etc., • They are also not allowed to gather in a public place for prayers. That's why the word secularism is inscribed in the preamble of the constitution of India.
- 4. Important terms-I • Secularism: It refers to the separation of religion from the State. • Coercion: Forcing someone to do something. In the chapter, the term refers to the force used by a legal authority such as the State. • Freedom to interpret: It refers to the freedom that all persons shall have to understand things in their own way. In the chapter, it refers liberty to an individual liberty to develop their own understanding and meaning of the religion they practice.
- 5. Important terms-II • Intervene: In this chapter, the term refers to the state’s efforts to influence some matters according to the principles of the Constitution. • Minoritism: It means that Indian secularism gives special privileges and rights to minorities. • Religion: It is normally a set of personal beliefs and related practices to divinity. It refers to people's opinions and beliefs concerning the existence, worship, and divinity of nature.
- 6. Indian Secularism • The Indian Constitution mandates that the Indian state be a secular state. • One religious community does not dominate another in a secular state. • In a secular state, some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community. • The state does not enforce any particular religion, nor does it take away the religious freedom of individuals.
- 7. Difference between Indian and American secularism There is one significant way in which Indian secularism differs from the dominant understanding of secularism as practised in the United States of America. In American secularism, there is a strict separation between religion and the State. Whereas in Indian secularism, the State can intervene in religious affairs
- 8. Why is it Important to Separate Religion from the State? • It helps a country to function democratically. • The tyranny of the majority and the violation of Fundamental Rights can be very harmful to the people belonging to the minority. So, it protects people from any type of religious violence. • It protects the freedom of individuals to exit from their religion, embrace another religion. It gave people the freedom to interpret religious teachings differently.
- 9. Steps were taken by Indian State to Protect Secularism in India: • It uses a strategy of distancing itself from religion. • A strategy of non-interference • A strategy of intervention • The intervention of the State can also be in the form of support.