Class 8 Exam  >  Class 8 Notes  >  Social Studies (SST) Class 8  >  Chapter Notes - Understanding Secularism

Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Notes - Understanding Secularism

Introduction to Secularism

In a country like the United States, imagine being a Hindu or Muslim living in an area where Christian fundamentalism is very strong. Despite being a US citizen, you find it hard to rent a house because of your religion. If you complain about this discrimination and are told to go back to India, you might feel very angry. This anger could lead to two reactions:

Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Notes - Understanding Secularism

  1. Retaliation: You might argue that Christians should be treated the same way in areas where Hindus or Muslims are in the majority. This response is about getting even.
  2. Fighting for Justice: Alternatively, you might believe that no one should be discriminated against based on their religion and work towards ending such discrimination. This approach aligns with the idea of secularism.

Secularism aims to prevent religious domination and ensure justice for everyone, regardless of their religion.

Historical Context of Discrimination

Throughout history, discrimination and persecution based on religion have been widespread:

  • Nazi Germany: Jews were persecuted and killed under Hitler’s regime.
  • Modern Israel: The Jewish State of Israel has been criticized for its treatment of Muslim and Christian minorities.
  • Saudi Arabia: Non-Muslims face restrictions on building places of worship and public religious gatherings.

These examples show how religious domination can lead to discrimination and persecution.

Question for Chapter Notes - Understanding Secularism
Try yourself:What happened in Hitler's Germany?
View Solution

What is Secularism?

Secularism refers to the separation of religion from State power. It means that the State does not officially recognize or support any religion.

Secularism: Separation of Religion from State.Secularism: Separation of Religion from State.

 This separation is crucial for:

  1. Preventing Religious Domination: Ensures no single religion can dominate others through State power.
  2. Protecting Individual Freedom: Allows individuals to follow, change, or reinterpret their religion without State interference.

In India, the Constitution ensures that the State is secular, meaning it:

  1. Prevents Religious Domination: Ensures that one religious community does not dominate another or dominate within its own community.
  2. Avoids Enforcing Religion: The State does not enforce any religion or take away religious freedom.
  3. Prevents Discrimination: The State does not discriminate based on religion.

Why is it Important to Separate Religion from the State?  

In a democratic society where multiple religions coexist, the separation of religion from the State is crucial to prevent the majority religion from using government power to discriminate against minority communities.

Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Notes - Understanding Secularism

Here are key reasons why this separation is essential:

  1. Ensures Democratic Functioning: It helps a country maintain its democratic principles by ensuring no religion dominates others through State support.

  2. Protects Minority Rights: Separation safeguards minorities from the tyranny of the majority, preventing discrimination and protecting the Fundamental Rights of all citizens.

  3. Promotes Religious Freedom: It allows individuals to freely practice, change, or reinterpret their religion without fear of State intervention or coercion.

  4. Prevents Religious Violence: By keeping religion separate from governance, the State reduces the potential for religious violence and conflict.

Examples:

  • Abolition of Untouchability: The Indian government intervened to abolish untouchability, a discriminatory practice within Hinduism, thereby ensuring equality for lower castes.
  • Support for Religious Schools: The State permits religious communities to establish schools but does so without giving preferential treatment to any particular religion.

Question for Chapter Notes - Understanding Secularism
Try yourself:What could the tyranny of the majority result in?
View Solution

What is Indian Secularism?  

The Indian Constitution mandates that the State must be secular to ensure the following:

  • No religious community dominates another.
  • Within a religion, no group dominates others.
  • The State neither promotes nor restricts religious freedom.

Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Notes - Understanding Secularism

Key Features of Indian Secularism:

  • Non-alignment with Religion: The Indian State maintains a distance from religious practices. For instance, government institutions like courts, schools, and offices do not display or promote any religion.
  • Religious Freedom in Schools: Government schools are prohibited from promoting any specific religion, including through prayers or celebrations. However, private schools are not bound by this rule.
  • Example: In a government school, students cannot celebrate religious festivals as this violates the policy of equal treatment of all religions. Such celebrations can be done outside the school premises. 

Strategies of Indian Secularism:

  • Non-Interference: The State allows religious communities to follow their practices without interference. For example, Sikhs are exempted from wearing helmets as wearing a turban is an integral part of their faith.
  • Intervention: The State can intervene in religious matters when necessary, such as banning untouchability within Hinduism, which discriminated against lower castes, to uphold Fundamental Rights.
  • Example: The abolition of untouchability was an instance where the State intervened to prevent religious-based discrimination.

State Support: The Constitution allows religious communities to set up their schools and colleges, with the State offering financial aid on a non-preferential basis.

Comparison with Other Secular Democracies:

  • In countries like the United States, the Constitution strictly separates religion from the State. For example, the U.S. First Amendment prevents the government from promoting any religion.
  • Difference in Indian Secularism: Unlike the U.S., Indian secularism allows the State to intervene in religious matters, as long as it upholds Constitutional principles and aims to protect individual rights.

Importance of Secularism in India:

  • The Indian Constitution upholds secularism to ensure equality, protect religious freedom, and prevent discrimination. While violations of these principles may occur, the Constitution provides a framework for addressing them. Awareness of these rights empowers citizens to take action against such violations.

These principles of secularism form the foundation of India's democratic structure and ensure the peaceful coexistence of diverse religious communities.

Some Important Terms

  • 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 to individual liberty to develop their own understanding and meaning of the religion they practice.
  • Intervene: In the chapter, the term refers to the State’s efforts to influence a particular matter by the principles of the Constitution.

FAQ's

Q.1. What is a ‘Democratic country’?

Ans. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life.

Q.2. What is a ‘Minority group’?

Ans. A culturally, ethnically, or racially distinct group that coexists with but is subordinate to a more dominant group is called a ‘Minority group’,

Q.3. What is the ‘Constitution’?

Ans. A constitution is an aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed.

The document Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Notes - Understanding Secularism is a part of the Class 8 Course Social Studies (SST) Class 8.
All you need of Class 8 at this link: Class 8
63 videos|424 docs|46 tests

Top Courses for Class 8

FAQs on Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Notes - Understanding Secularism

1. What is the definition of secularism?
Ans.Secularism is the principle of separating religion from the state, ensuring that religious beliefs do not interfere with governmental policies and that the government remains neutral in matters of religion.
2. Why is it important to separate religion from the state?
Ans.Separating religion from the state is important to ensure equality among all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs. It helps prevent discrimination, allows for freedom of belief, and promotes a fair legal system where laws are based on reason and not influenced by religious doctrines.
3. How does Indian secularism differ from secularism in other countries?
Ans.Indian secularism differs from secularism in many other countries as it recognizes and respects the presence of multiple religions within its society. Instead of a strict separation, the Indian state acknowledges religious diversity and provides equal respect and support to all religions, aiming for harmony and coexistence.
4. What role does secularism play in maintaining social harmony?
Ans.Secularism plays a crucial role in maintaining social harmony by promoting tolerance and understanding among different religious communities. It ensures that no single religion dominates public life, which helps prevent conflicts and fosters a peaceful coexistence.
5. Can secularism exist alongside religious beliefs in individuals?
Ans.Yes, secularism can coexist with individual religious beliefs. It allows people to practice their religion freely while ensuring that their beliefs do not influence state policies or infringe upon the rights of others. This balance is essential for a diverse and democratic society.
63 videos|424 docs|46 tests
Download as PDF
Explore Courses for Class 8 exam

Top Courses for Class 8

Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Related Searches

Summary

,

Important questions

,

Exam

,

study material

,

Objective type Questions

,

mock tests for examination

,

Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Notes - Understanding Secularism

,

Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Notes - Understanding Secularism

,

ppt

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

past year papers

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

Semester Notes

,

Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Notes - Understanding Secularism

,

video lectures

,

MCQs

,

pdf

,

Free

,

Extra Questions

,

Sample Paper

,

practice quizzes

,

Viva Questions

;