Secularism is not atheism, Sarmad Ali
Daily Times, Pakistan February 01, 2014
The constitution
does not allow the national or provincial assemblies to legislate contrary to
the injunctions of Islamic sharia or courts to decide against it as the
preamble of the constitution clearly forbids doing so
There is mass
confusion in Pakistani society between the secularism and atheism doctrines.
Secularism and atheism are very different doctrines and the emergence of these
two happened in the past at different times. Secularism is the most
misunderstood and mangled ‘ism’ in Pakistan’s political lexicon. Commentators
on the right and the left routinely equate it with Nazism and Socialism, among
other ‘isms’. Most people in Pakistan associate it with being anti-Islam, which
clearly shows a lack of knowledge and understanding on the topic of secularism.
The intention behind writing this article is to convey to the people of Pakistan
that the secularism doctrine is not anti-Islam at all. It actually demands
tolerance, freedom of religion and separation of state from religion.
Let us now start with brief definitions. Secularism is the principle of separation of government institutions and persons mandated to represent the state from religious institutions and religious dignitaries. One manifestation of secularism is asserting the right to be free from religious rule and teachings or, in a state declared to be neutral on matters of belief, from the imposition by government of religion or religious practices upon its people. India, France and the UK are excellent examples of secular states in the modern age. On the other hand, atheism is disbelief in the existence of the deity — the doctrine that there is no deity.
These two ‘isms’
must be disarticulated from each other for a variety of reasons. Atheism covers
wide schools of thought that ponder and/or posit the non-existence of God.
Among commentators there is a largely fascinating debate about when precisely
atheism arose. Two renowned writers, Allen Kors and Michael Buckley, have a
compelling theory: non-belief as a coherent worldview developed within
Christian theological speculation in early modernity.
Most historical
narratives suggest that atheism was largely fuelled by the western schism of
the 14th century and Europe’s intellectual experiences during the Renaissance.
This historical link is difficult to discount; the former movement saw
religious faith dwindle owing to corrupt clergymen, while the latter saw an
increased emphasis on scientific rationality. Secularism is a doctrine that is
not concerned with metaphysics. It does not concentrate on the existence of the
divine realm.
In other words, it
is agnostic on the question of God’s existence — a question that is way above
its pay grade. Secularism is a flexible doctrine, which is concerned with the
relationship of the state and religion. It demands that the state should not
have any religion and people can enjoy their religious traditions, culture,
etc. In all regards, the state should be neutral and provide space to every
citizen residing in its boundaries. Strict separatism is one, but not the only,
of those positions. At its core, secularism is deeply suspicious of any entanglement
between government and religion. Thus, secularism may be understood as a
concept that gives breathing space to all beliefs.
In culmination, it
is submitted that there is no room for discovering an iota of inherent
secularism in the teachings and history of Islam. The state of Pakistan came
into being on the basis of Muslim nationalism and, on record, no secular
liberal speech by Jinnah is available except the August 11, 1947 one. Pakistan
inherited the diseases of religious violence and fundamentalism on the day it
came into being and, therefore, Pakistan is clearly disqualified for secularism
from all of the deliberative aspects. Religion has become the sole identity of
every citizen in Pakistan. Religion is the elementary identity of each and
every citizen. It is almost impossible to find 10 to 20 people claiming not to
be Muslims in the 97 percent Muslim majority of about 180 million people. The
constitution does not allow the national or provincial assemblies to legislate
contrary to the injunctions of Islamic sharia or courts to decide against it as
the preamble of the constitution clearly forbids doing so.
The Council of
Islamic Ideology, a constitutional advisory body, plays a big role in the
legislative process. Besides all such legal bindings, the general temperament
and psychological makeup of a Pakistani is that of a believer. Religious
educational institutions in Pakistan are major manufacturers of the popular
Islamic culture of society. I strongly believe that secularism is the only
solution available to the state of Pakistan to get rid of all sorts of
religious extremism. Hence, secularism must be embraced, not as a concept,
which alienates different religions, but as one that acknowledges each to an
equal measure.
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