On 9 August 2011 18:19, Charles Haynes <[email protected]> wrote:
> Indeed it is. Secularism is a problem for anyone who wants government > assistance in imposing their religious views on the unwilling. > This is an over simplification of the fact that most religions extend well beyond one's personal space. This could be what has been expressly codified in religious texts, or what the entire paraphrenilia around a religion prescribes. Who you should marry, whether you can charge interest, inheritance rights, what your children are taught etc. etc. are in some form or fashion prescribed or implicit for one of the faith. Add to the fact that one is born into a faith, not opt into one. Opt out is pretty much not possible unless one is an orphan, doesn't plan to marry or have children as you opting out impacts others as well. Therefore, if religion is not considered while framing laws, these laws impinge on one's religious beliefs. Basically, there is no way to merge the two i.e. for secularism to be implemented to its true meaning requires the majority of society to relegate religion to their "personal" space. Obviously some religions make this easier than others, some are outright impossible. While individuals can respect other citizens' religious views as long as they restrict it to their personal space, the constitution/government cannot to be truly secular. Regards, Kiran
