Human Values and Ethics
Secular Values
Dr. A. Milton
Professor
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
St. Xavier’s Catholic College of Engineering
Chunkankadai, Nagercoil - 629003
Course Outcome
CO2: Recognize the secular values and
the importance of disassociation of state
from religion and nondiscrimination.
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Secularism
Secular means being separate from religion or having no religious
basis.
Secular person is one who does not owe his/her moral value to any
religion. His/Her values are the product of his/her rational and
scientific thinking.
Secularism means separation of religion from political, economic,
social and cultural aspect of life, religion is treated as a purely
personal matter.
Secularism emphasizes disassociation of state from religion and full
freedom to all religions and tolerance of all religions.
Provides equal opportunities for followers of all
religions and no discrimination on the basis of religion.
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Interpretation of Secularism in Indian Context
Ancient Indian culture (Hinduism) was developed as a holistic religion
by integrating spiritual traditions.
The Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas highlight the religious plurality of
Hinduism.
Emperor the great Ashoka, 2300 years ago, was the first one who
made tolerance of all religions and developed a spirit of great respect
for all religions.
In the medieval India, Sufi and Bhakti movements bond the
people of various communities together with love and peace.
Guru Nanak says that there is no Hindu and no Musalman as
there is no distinction between man and man.
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Interpretation of Secularism in Indian Context
Mughal emperor the great Akbar promoted toleration of different
religions.
His propagation of Din-e-Illahi and Sulh-e-kul were for secularism.
Modern India
The constitution drafted by Pandit Motilal Nehru
as the chairman in 1928, had the provision
There shall be no state religion for the commonwealth of India.
State shall not directly or indirectly endow any religion.
State shall nor provide preferential treatment or impose any
discrimination on the basis of religious beliefs.
Gandhi and Nehru were the principal advocates of secularism.
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Interpretation of Secularism in Indian Context
Gandhi’s secularism was based on brotherhood of religious
communities.
Nehru’s secularism was based on scientific humanism.
In secularism,
Religion and Individual is an independent variable. (free to choose)
State and the Individual is also independent variable. (religion has no
role to intervene in the relation)
State and Religion is independent to decide their course of action with
their own norms.
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Interpretation of Secularism in Indian Context
India is a secular state since its independence.
Secular values are enshrined in the constitution of India.
Jawaharlal Nehru is credited with the formation of secular values.
42nd amendment in 1976, asserted in the preamble of the
constitution that India is a secular nation.
Supreme court of India in 1994 case S.R. Bommai Vs Union of India
established the fact that India was secular since the formation of the
republic. State and religion are separated.
Indian constitution requires the state to be secular in thoughts and
action. The same requirement applicable to political parties.
Article 356 ensures secularism by state.
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Interpretation of Secularism in Indian Context
Secularism and the Indian Constitution
Article 14 grants equality before the law for all.
Article 15 prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste,
sex or place of birth.
Article 16(1) guarantees equal opportunity to all citizens in public
employment. There should be no discrimination on the basis of
religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth and residence.
Article 25 provides right to all persons to freely practice and
propagate religion.
Article 26: every religious group or individual has the right to establish
and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes.
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Interpretation of Secularism in Indian Context
Article 27: State shall not compel citizen to pay taxes for the
promotion or maintenance of any religion or religious institution.
Article 28: Educational institutions maintained by different religious
groups can impart religious instruction.
Article 29 and 30: Provide cultural and educational rights to
minorities.
Article 51A: Mandate all citizens to promote harmony and the spirit of
common brotherhood and value the heritage of composite culture.
Challenges: Majority-Minority-British-Political party-Religious
intolerance-Discuss
Features of secular state of India: Discuss
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Disassociation of State from Religion
Secular state should not be theocratic.
The state should not have any legal or formal alliance with any
religion.
The state should be separated from religious institutions.
The state should not provide any aid to religious institutions.
The state cannot enforce any particular religion on any one.
The state cannot take away the religious freedom of individuals.
The Importance
Disassociation if a state from religion is important for the country to
function democratically.
Countries have more than one religious group.
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Disassociation of State from Religion
One religious group may be in a majority.
If the majority religious group has access to the state power, it may
use the power to
Discriminate other religions
Prosecute persons of other religions
Prevent minorities from practicing their religion
Violate democratic principles
Deny fundamental rights.
It is necessary to protect the freedom of individuals to exit from their
religion and embrace another religion and the freedom to interpret
religious teachings differently. Ex: Untouchability
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Disassociation of State from Religion
Constitution of a secular country should disassociate the state from
religion.
Indian Constitution
Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and
propagation of religion.
Article 26: Freedom to manage religious affairs.
Article 27: No tax for promotion of any religion.
Article 28: Freedom for religious instruction or worship in certain
educational institutions.
Communalism and Politics
Use of religion in politics is called communal politics.
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Disassociation of State from Religion
In communal politics,
Beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other
religions.
Demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another.
State power is used to establish the domination of one religious group
over the rest.
It should be avoided because it will results in
Political dominance of one’s own religious community.
Use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and fear to
bring the followers of one religion to the political arena.
Communal violence, riots and massacre.
Therefore, disassociation of state and politics from religion is vital.
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Acceptance of All Faiths
State should treat all its citizens equally regardless of their religion.
Avoid preferential treatment for citizens based on their religion.
Legal system should be free from religious control.
America is the first secular country in the history.
Deep understanding of one’s own religious concepts is
essential to accept all other religions (Democratic, Tolerance).
Religious leader and people should not attach with their
religion and disregard other religions.
Scientifically understand the concepts of different
religions and understand that all the religions have same principles.
People are more important than their faiths.
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Encouraging Non-discrimination Practices
Discrimination
It is treating a person unfairly because of the person’s religion,
religious beliefs, practices, grooming, attire etc.
Example: Sabbath observance, Beard
Awareness
Authorities or Employers should know that it is not acceptable.
People or employs should know that the protection available.
Laws
Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of religion, race,
color, sex.
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Encouraging Non-discrimination Practices
Employers should not treat individuals unfavourably because of their
religion in hiring, firing, compensation, job assignment, promotion,
layoff, training and benefits.
Employer should not practice unfair occupational segregation.
Can allow employees to freely practice their religion, allow exceptions
to dress code or grooming standards and adjust schedule without
causing significant loss or difficulty to the organisation. (RL)
Prevent harassment like humiliation, derogatory remarks, offensive
drawings or physical conduct.
Law protect the employee one who actively assert his/her rights from
being retaliated.
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Encouraging Non-discrimination Practices
Note: The unwanted behaviour must create a threatening and hostile
work environment or it is unlawful.
Resource for Victims
Documenting and evidence –> Internal complaint –> State
administrative agency.
Prevent Religious Discrimination
Compliance with law is of utmost importance.
Employers shall sign a pledge of commitment to create a no
discriminative workplace for employees.
It should start with senior leadership. It is very essential initiative to
prevent religious discrimination.
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Encouraging Non-discrimination Practices
How to Deal
Signs of hostility are observed -> Meaningful conversation -> Break
the status quo -> Identify the cause and challenges -> Gain insight ->
Best action -> eliminate traces of discrimination.
Why?: Religious discrimination will not solve itself.
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his/her
skin or background or religion” – Nelson Mandela
No one is born knowing how to manage religious diversity which has a
huge positive potential for human rights and the source of serious
tensions.
Need inclusive peer to peer learning on faith and human rights.
Learn more on Indian law, Federal law, UN Resolution
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Secular Values
CO2: Recognize the secular values and the importance of
disassociation of state from religion and nondiscrimination.
Thank You
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