Dominant Religions Don't Hide Their Animosity Towards Secularism

When you are the biggest boy on the block, you tend to have things your own way, and certainly don't appreciate intervening forces when trying to press others. There have always been and always will be those with more power and persuasion who are capable of more than those who have less.

I encourage a society where people earn those things they have, but when you talk about modern society  you have to acknowledge the one of the single greatest markers we tend to use to gauge development, Human Rights. When Secularism was first proposed in ancient Greece, in Rome, and numerous other times throughout history, it never stuck for long, and that is primarily because those who suggested it were never part of the majority opinion. In every example I can think of, they were the most educated of their time, surrounded by mythology and superstition.

Secularism never had in mind to do away with these things, but to simple to limit them to those who wanted it. Needless to say, without the political power of the majority, it never came about until a burgeoning little group of colonies banded together and the intellectual majority leadership, members of whom consisted of lawyers, professors, and scientists decided it was a good idea to protect the beliefs of all, not only the majority.

When I talk to Muslims from Muslim majority countries, or Christians from America, or Buddhists from Myanmar, or Hindus in India, I often hear unapologetic attacks on secularism as they see a political force trying to take away their freedom of religion.

TO THE CONTRARY, secularism ensures and guarantees your freedom of belief. It does not, however, allow the majority to pressure, to cajole, or to influence public society with those beliefs. Why is it so hard to understand that equality is important, and since being fair to all is not feasible or possible, the separation of religion and state is the easiest.

Here in Fargo, ND, there is an ongoing debate about the Ten Commandments on public property, outside the city hall. If you wanted to suggest this is a Christian community, then you can just read my previous entry. If you suggest we can be fair, then how would people react to if we put engravings from the Koran outside city hall as well? It would not stop there, as we would need a Buddha, a Shiva shrine, a Sikh statue, as well as monuments to every religion represented in the area! Or....get this idea....none!

Christians in the area want to hold on to it because they are allowed to ignorantly assert this is a Christian country because...because look! There are the Ten Commandments!  Likewise countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, most of North Africa and the Middle East arrogantly refuse to allow the freedom of belief because it threatens the power of the majority religion. In India, Muslims are protected under secularism despite the best attempts of the Hindustani nationalists. In the United States Muslims are protected from learning about Christianity at public schools because of secularism, and at every period throughout American history, Christians have tried to change this.

Let us point out the bullies of society and make sure they swallow secularism as a commitment to the freedom of belief they enjoy the support of. Not everyone will have the experience of being in a minority belief, so I feel the need to remind them. Hell, I might even enjoy doing it.