Expanding On The Ethics Of Secularism

The concept of secularism concerns justice and fair play free of religious interventions which have repeatedly been a source of divisiveness, oppression and conflict. In India secularism is confined to mean concern for religious minorities and nothing else. Our constitutional provision on secularism is not a static doctrine but a dynamic principle for practice. Hence we need to assimilate the expanding ethics of secularism as an effective mechanism for maintenance of a wholesome socio-political system as well as our own inner development.

The Western concept of secularism predominantly based on justice and entirely divorced from religion is not suitable in Indian context where people are intensely religious by nature. Our ethics of secularism is essentially shaped from within the framework of rules and precepts of prevalent religions for unanimous acceptability.

Atheistic secularists 

Every religion prescribes ethics for followers in the context of contemporary necessity, not necessarily having universal applicability beyond time and locality. Religious secularists should rise above the same in case it is antagonistic to the spirit of secularism. The atheist secularists also must not say like Dostoevsky, “If God is dead, everything is permitted.” Every secularist must be governed by collective conscience, contemporary necessity and impeccable honesty.

 It is often presumed that ethics and values associated with secularism are universal, comprising of truth, non-violence, non-stealing, fair play and sexual restraint to the permissible extent. These cannot be considered to be enough for practice of effective secularism amidst growing socio-ethical challenges faced by us today. 

No monopoly over wisdom

The cardinal principle followed by any secular society is spontaneous acceptance of religious diversity and mutual respect for people of different religions and contributing to different faiths including atheism. In a shared society no one has monopoly over wisdom. Hence diversity of faith and practice need to be respected and not merely tolerated with superiority complex and inward pity as is usually done. This is the hallmark of secular ethics and any compromise on this weakens secular credentials.

 Secularism is not compatible with casteism or communalism. It has to be based on the principle of equality.  Religions as practised have tended to be divisive and sectarian to a large extent. But secularism cannot afford to be divisive, not even to those who do not subscribe to secularism.

Empathy and humanism

Indulgence in corruption or illegal gratification by misuse of power is essentially unjust and divisive. Acquiring wealth through corruption to get  higher rank and privilege defeats the core principle of secularism. Those who are corrupt cannot claim to be secular. They are divisive and are enemies of secularism.

 Secular people must be empathetic and philanthropic. They should think and act for common welfare over and above narrow personal gains. They must be  empathic to all and be humanistic. Since interdependence is the law of nature environmental protection and maintenance of ecological balance should also be a matter of concern.

Secularism involves rising above religions for justice and fair play but not abandoning the eternal human quest for truth. Introspection and meditation through any path is admissible to secularists.  Freedom from bondage of religious ties should enable pursuit of wisdom and well-being of all.

 Mere religious secularism without acceptance of dynamic ethical principles associated with it sounds empty and is self-deceptive.  We must adopt true secular values and ethics for a brighter democracy and better tomorrow in individual and social life.