Secularism
Relevant for Sociology Optional for Civil Service Examination.
Relevance : Sociology Paper -1 , Unit – Religion & Society
Secularism
Secularism emerged within the historical backdrop of diverse religious perspectives and intense conflicts arising from these differences. David Hume, in his “Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion” (1776), questioned the societal benefits of religion, pointing out its adverse consequences such as factions, civil wars, persecutions, government subversions, oppression, and slavery.
- The origins of modern secularism in Europe can be traced to the Crusades, seen as a response to the religious wars of the time. These holy wars, occurring between 1095 and 1464, aimed ostensibly to reclaim the holy lands in Palestine from Muslims. The pursuit of a way out of religious wars led to the development of two strategies to overcome religious hatred.
- The first strategy, known as the common ground approach, sought to establish ethical principles for peaceful coexistence and political order. Thinkers like Aquinas, Pufendorf, and Locke subscribed to this strategy, which downplayed confessional dogma, emphasized common beliefs, and could manifest in ideologies such as Deism. This approach aimed to unite people with different commitments around certain fundamental principles.
- The second strategy aimed to overcome religious conflicts by developing an independent political ethic. This approach proposed a political morality based on features of the human condition, with certain norms of peace and political obedience deduced from human rationality and sociability. Grotius is recognized as a pioneer of this strategy, asserting that even if God didn’t exist, these norms would be binding on humans.
- As an ideology, secularism encompasses five core ideas.
- Firstly, it emphasizes human autonomy, recognizing the individual’s right to order their life independently of authority. The Secular Humanist Declaration underscores trust in human intelligence rather than divine guidance, promoting a realistic approach where individuals are responsible for their destinies.
- Secondly, secularism asserts that not only the state and laws but also family relations, education, morality, knowledge, and values should be free from religious dominance.
- Marc Gallanter highlights in the Indian context that the goal is not to exclude religion from politics but to keep it out of social relations.
- Thirdly, secularism seeks the autonomy of reason, making reason the sole criterion of truth and challenging the authority of religion and the church.
- Fourthly, secularism promotes values of pluralism and religious toleration by acknowledging that no religion is final, infallible, or beyond rational scrutiny. Secularists consider a plurality of religious worldviews as natural, valuing an attitude of tolerance towards other religions and value systems.
- Finally, secularism is not anti-religious; instead, it focuses on the affairs of this world, considering secular life and knowledge as autonomous. The People’s Republic of China, with its official policy against religion, aligns with the definition of secularism, though it may not be considered a strictly secular state.
Reference: Static Portion
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Question: Define the term “ethnic movement” and provide an example from India.
Answer: An ethnic movement refers to a collective effort by a group sharing common cultural, linguistic, or religious traits, seeking to assert their identity and rights; an example from India is the Khalistan Movement in Punjab.
2. Question: Identify the main objectives behind the Gorkhaland ethnic movement.
Answer: The Gorkhaland ethnic movement primarily seeks to establish a separate state for India’s Nepali-speaking population in the Darjeeling region, advocating for linguistic and cultural recognition and political autonomy.
3. Question: What was the Operation Blue Star, and which ethnic movement was it related to?
Answer: Operation Blue Star was a military action in 1984, aiming to remove Sikh militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar; it is related to the Khalistan movement, which sought a separate Sikh country.
4. Question: Mention a critical factor that triggered the emergence of ethnic movements in India, as discussed by Dipankar Gupta.
Answer: Dipankar Gupta emphasized that ethnicity is fundamentally a political process, wherein caste and religion, the key components of identity formation, are politicized by leaders for vested interests.
5. Question: What were the primary reasons for the Assam Ethnicity conflicts involving Bodo tribals and Bengali Muslim settlers?
Answer: The Assam Ethnicity conflicts primarily stemmed from issues related to immigration, land rights, and resource allocation, leading to clashes, riots, and evolving relationships among indigenous communities to address challenges.
6. Question: Briefly describe the role of the Dravidian Movement in terms of caste and societal structure.
Answer: The Dravidian Movement, led notably by E.V. Ramasamy, aimed to establish an egalitarian society, focusing on anti-Brahmanism and advocating for equal rights for backward castes, while also introducing reforms like self-respect marriages.
7. Question: Name the prominent ethnic movements in North-East India and specify one common objective.
Answer: Prominent ethnic movements in North-East India include the Nagas’ and Mizos’ struggles; a common objective was to gain autonomy and recognition for their distinct tribal identities and cultural uniqueness.
8. Question: What is the key argument of Gail Omveldt regarding traditional Indian society and multiculturalism?
Answer: Gail Omveldt opposed romanticizing traditional Indian society, arguing that hierarchy has always dominated it and dismissing the notion that multiculturalism is an intrinsic feature of Indian society as a myth.
9. Question: Briefly explain the social hierarchy factor as a contributing element to ethnic movements as suggested by Olzak.
Answer: Olzak suggests that the construction of hierarchies among ethnic communities, which often leads to the suppression of one group by another, is a key factor that can instigate social and ethnic movements.
10. Question: Identify one consequence of the unequal economic development factor within the context of ethnic movements in India.
Answer: One consequence of unequal economic development is the marginalization and underdevelopment of certain groups, leading to feelings of alienation and sometimes initiating ethnic movements as these groups strive for equality and recognition.
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