Week 8: Secularism and Democracy

Question 1

Argument for government funding of religious schools

Answer 1

• The argument is that it is providing the opportunity for citizens to practices their liberties.
• You can’t fund schools for all religions. So it is inherently discriminatory.

Question 2

Taylor and Maclure on secularism

Answer 2

• Secularism is often traced to the religious wars resulting in this division in the 17th century.
• The different religious and non-religious outlooks are to be treated neutrally or impartially by the state. Toleration of diversity hand in hand with the privatization of religion.
• Moral pluralism is driven by the recognition of the absence of reveled religious of moral truths. We do not have access to a universal truth about morality.
• There are differences in moral values between religious and non-religious groups. So secularism therefor imposes morals on religious groups contradictory to their religion.
• Moral equality of individuals. No individual is worth more or less than another.

Question 3

Arguments for and against secularism

Answer 3

Liberal democracies are not comprehensively neutral. Liberal democracies are not accepting of groups that seek to subordinate women etc. So on the one hand they are neutral. But on the other they are not. The political principles that are compromised on allowing the practice of individual morals for religious groups. So long as they do not violate human rights. It allows religious groups and other groups to practise their spirituality. The other argument is that if an alternative view takes rule it will force that way without acceptance and inclusion of other world views. That being said secularism they don’t always permit the groups to conduct themselves in a manner that respects gender equality. so it will sometimes conflict.

Some liberal democracies are tempted to, and do, violate those previously mentioned things in public and private. Places like Quebec, France, Turkey because places that have historic religious domination is a reaction and pushback from other world views and sometimes push them too far.

Question 4

Secularism based on 2 key principles

Answer 4

1) Freedom of conscience – if you have a different faith you can pursuit it so long as you’re an not being oppressive ad respecting rights.
2) Equality of respect – Respecting all individuals morally equality and should be respected as such.

Question 5

Operative modes of secularism

Answer 5

1) State neutrality

2) Separation of church and state

Question 6

Political secularisation vs social secularism

Answer 6

Political: state independence from religion. Their objectives are not defined by any religious doctrine.

Social secularization: accepts political secularization but it also adds the erosion of religious practices in individual life. It would be built around a vision of secularism. They try to undermine the religious world views and subordinates these religious world views. It binds people with the idea of the state of citizenship or nationalism, or loyalties to anything else is subordinate. FRANCE.

Question 7

Bhargava theory of secularism

Answer 7

• Advocate of secularism
• The idea of secularism is driven by respect of religious freedoms
• Combats hegemony.
• Combats religious exclusion
• It ensures freedom of exit from religion.
• Interreligious equality and respect for different religious minorities that make up a liberal state.
• Promoting solidary through promoting freedom from religious sectarianism.

Question 8

Bhargava on secularism and Europe

Answer 8

He understands secular states should have strict separation. The European model is insufficient. It is modern secularism. A moderate degree of connection on all three levels. These established religious have week establishments. They are more symbolic. The churches are then taken on as partners to deliver state functions like shelter or food. It is unacceptable to him because there are many religious groups coming in and it has struggled to integrate these groups.

He thinks Europe is not secular enough: It has a good middle ground between active hostility and enough neutrality to include some integration. In France it is about dominating religion and cultural and is inferior to this and they must be guided to the correct view. On the other hand he does not want to have absolute deference’s between secularism and religious expression/ respect.

Question 9

Why does Bhargava have a problem with non-secularism?

Answer 9

It ends up in a domination of Christian religion. Pre-Existing religions have a defacto domination. To be secular you should be extended that support for other religions. Europe is diverting countries apposed to any public policy opposing religion are in fact engaged in religious support so we should incorporate other religions for sake of fairness. Religious symbols should be worn and take away policies that prohibit it. Wants a strict disconnection on the law and public policy.