8.3. The Western Model of Secularism

All secular states have one thing in common: they are neither theocratic nor do they establish a religion. However, in most commonly prevalent conceptions, inspired mainly by the American model, separation of religion and state is understood as mutual exclusion: the state will not intervene in the affairs of religion and, in the same manner, religion will not interfere in the affairs of the state.

Secular states do not intertwine religion with government operations. This means that a government cannot enforce a religion or treat one religion preferentially over another. The American model is often cited as an example where the relationship is viewed as one of mutual exclusion—meaning that government and religion stay out of each other's way. This ensures that public policy is based on principles that are not influenced by religious doctrine.

Think of a school where students from different religions attend. The school has rules that promote equality and non-discrimination, ensuring that no one gets special privileges based on their religion. Just like in that school, secular states operate independently of religious influence.

Each has a separate sphere of its own with independent jurisdiction. No policy of the state can have an exclusively religious rationale. No religious classification can be the basis of any public policy. If this happened, there would be an illegitimate intrusion of religion in the state.

In a secular state, the government's policies cannot be based solely on religious beliefs; they must be universally applicable to all citizens, regardless of their faith. This principle prevents any single religion from having power over governance and ensures that public policies are made for the benefit of the whole society.

Consider a law that requires all citizens to serve in the army. If this law were based on a religious mandate that only applies to one group, it would be unjust. Secularism ensures that laws must apply to everyone, regardless of religion, promoting fairness and equality.

Similarly, the state cannot aid any religious institution. It cannot give financial support to educational institutions run by religious communities. Nor can it hinder the activities of religious communities, as long as they are within the broad limits set by the law of the land.

Secularism mandates that the government should not provide funding or support to any religious institutions or schools, ensuring equal treatment of all religions. However, it also protects the right of individuals and communities to practice their religion freely, as long as they adhere to the legal framework of the country.

Imagine a community center that hosts different religious gatherings. The government can't favor one religion by funding only that community center while ignoring others. By maintaining an equal distance, every community can host their events without interference or preferential treatment.

On this view, religion is a private matter, not a matter of state policy or law.

In combination with the previous principles, this means that faith is seen as a personal choice. It should not influence how laws are made or how society is structured. People are free to follow their beliefs, but their said beliefs shouldn't dictate public policies or practices.

Think about how each person has a favorite food. Just because you love pizza doesn’t mean everyone else should eat it too. Similarly, just because one group follows a particular religion doesn't mean it should be the guiding force for the government.

This common conception interprets freedom and equality in an individualist manner. Liberty is the liberty of individuals. Equality is equality between individuals. There is no scope for the idea that a community has the liberty to follow practices of its own choosing.

Western secularism often emphasizes individual rights over community rights. Each person's freedom is prioritized, which can overlook the collective rights of communities, especially minority groups.

Think of a sports team where each player can make their own choices about how to play but must also work together to win the game. If only one player ignores the team’s strategy for personal goals, it may hurt the overall performance. Secularism can be similar—it's essential to balance individual freedom with the rights of the whole community.

The history of western societies tells us why this is so. Except for the presence of the Jews, most western societies were marked by a great deal of religious homogeneity. Given this fact, they naturally focused on intra-religious domination.

Because many western societies have historically shared similar religious backgrounds, their secularism has developed around reducing conflicts within those communities, rather than addressing inter-community issues. This has led to an individualist approach that can disregard the complexities and rights of diverse groups.

Consider a family where all the siblings share the same hobbies. They might focus on how to ensure everyone has equal playtime with those hobbies. However, if a new sibling with different interests joins, they might need to rethink their approach to include and respect this new dynamic.

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