--- Peter D'Souza <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >Santosh, the OED defines secular as "1. not religious, >sacred, or spiritual. 2 (of clergy) not subject to or >bound by religious rule." >http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/secular?view=uk > >Based on this quote from Chuck Colson's latest column, >I am inclined to believe that the American English >definition is not very different: "Why do militant >secularists attempt to snuff out religious practice, >
Peter, As I said before, the word "secularism" or "secular" has many meanings. The above compact version of Oxford dictionary gives only two of those multiple meanings. Even so, as Jose said, the second meaning above recognizes that there may be religious priests who are secular in their outlook. If you refer to an expanded version of Oxford English dictionary, you will find that the word "secular" has over 15 different meanings. You will need a subscription for this, but here is the link for the word secular in that version of the Oxford dictionary: http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/entry/50218143?single=1&query_type=word&queryword=secular&first=1&max_to_show=10 I submit to you that the word secular or secularism, as it is commonly used in India (and raised in reference to Fr. Cosme J. Costa), invokes the sense in which this word is used in the Indian Constitution, which, in short, is to refer to its commitment to religious pluralism. I don't know whether you know this, but the preamble of the Indian Constitution defines India as a secular democratic republic. Secularism as enshrined in the Constitution of India is described by the Vice Chancellor of Goa University, Prof. P. R. Dubhashi in the following manner: "Secularism has been one of the essential elements in the basic structure of our Constitution which lays down that 1) the state has no religion; 2) all citizens however have the fundamental right to follow and propagate their own religion; and 3) it is the duty of the state to protect life, liberty and property of all citizens, provide security to them and enable them to exercise their fundamental rights. The state will not discriminate between the citizens on the grounds of religion and language." The above quote is taken from an article entitled "Meaning of Secularism" by P. R. Dubhashi. Here is the link to that article: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/op/2002/06/11/stories/2002061100020200.htm The "militant secularists" of Chuck Colson is a mean spirited pejorative usage, which is unfortunately not unique to American politics. Religious chauvinists everywhere are fond of using that term, often to vent their hatred of people who disagree with them or who are indifferent to religion in general. The Hindutva zealots in India use the same term to describe those who oppose their views and policies. In their view Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Mahatma Gandhi, who personified the spirit of secularism in the founding of modern India, are militant secularists. Cheers, Santosh
