Understanding Secularism Social Science - Understanding Secularism

The Government of India does not support any one ____.

What was the names of the Muslim dominant former French colonies.

Give one reason from the following as to why it is important to separate religion from the State in democratic societies.

What is referred to as the separation of religion from the State?

Secularism refer to:

True Or False.
Government schools can promote any one religion.

True Or False.
In Indian secularism the State is not strictly separate from religion.

True Or False.
In Indian secularism, the State cannot intervene in religion.

True Or False.
Wearing a pugri (turban) is central to a Sikh’s religious practice.

True Or False.
History provides us with many examples of discrimination, exclusion and persecution on the grounds of religion.

Fill in the blank.
In the United States of America, most children in government schools have to begin their school day reciting the ‘Pledge of ________.

Fill in the blank.
In India, government spaces like law courts, police stations, government schools and offices are not supposed to display or promote any one _______.

Fill in the blank.
The most important aspect of secularism is its separation of _______ from State power.

Fill in the blank.
The Indian State is not ruled by a religious ______ and nor does it support any one _______.

Fill in the blank.
Jewish State of Israel treats its own _______ and ______ minorities quite badly.

Find out some examples of different views within the same religion.

Name the major religions practiced all over the world.

State the 4th point of the Fundamental Rights of the Indian constitution.

Explain the concept of ‘principled distance’.

What does the term ‘secularism’ refer to?

Look up the annual calendar of holidays of your school. How many of them pertain to different religions? What does this indicate?

Why is it important to separate religion from the State?OR
Why does state not interfere in religious matter?

Name the strategies followed by the Indian government to establish secularism.

Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.

What provision has been made by the government to follow religious equality in government spaces, schools and offices?

Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practise infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.

State the importance of separation of religion from state.

Give one example to prove that the Indian secular state can intervene to prevent the religious domination concerning different groups of the same religion.

What do you understand from the statement ‘freedom to interpret religious teachings differently’ in context with the practice of untouchability?

Site some historical examples of discrimination.

This poster alongside highlights the need for ‘Peace’. It says, “Peace is a never-ending process....It cannot ignore our differences or overlook our common interests.” Write in your own words what you think the above sentences are trying to convey? How does it relate to the need for religious tolerance?

This chapter had three drawings on religious tolerance made by students of your age. Design your own poster on religious tolerance for your peers.

The Indian State both keeps away from religion as well as intervenes in religion. This idea can be quite confusing. Discuss this once again in class using examples from the chapter as well as those that you might have come up with.

Complete the following table:

Objective	Why is this important?	Example of a violation of this objective
One religious community does not dominate another.
The State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals.
That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community.

List the different types of religious practice that you find in your neighbourhood. This could be different forms of prayer, worship of different gods, sacred sites, different kinds of religious music and singing etc. Does this indicate freedom of religious practice?

Describe the various ways to prevent religious domination by the Indian constitution.