What does secularism mean to you?

[Julielamar2]

What does secularism mean to you and what does it imply in your country?

Whenever I speak with an Anglo-Saxon we are always in disagreement on secularism lol

[Astarlessnightsky]

It means the divide between church and state.

The religous leaders have nothing to say in the worldly matters, while the state has nothing to say in the affairs of the religions, usually meaning everyone is free to follow whatever religion he likes.

[mddrain]

I triggered by the picture. Why people think Turkish symbol is the symbol of islam? Moon and star in Turkic countries flags is much older then appearence of islam. And you can’t see that symbol in the flags of most islamic countries like Arabia or Iran. Because it is not the symbol of islam…

[Julielamar2]

I took this image on the internet

[Starwitch23]

Even Pakistan has moon and star in their flag.

[mddrain]

I understand it but almost everyone thinks it is a religious symbol except turks. I shocked when I saw that in the social media first time. I feel like it is a necessity to clarify it since then. By the way I think secularism is one of the most crucial things countries must have. No secularism no freedome. Especially in Turkey.

[mddrain]

@Starwitch23 Yes I know today most islamic countries have moon and star. And they think it is an islamic symbol. But no, it is not true. It is because of Ottoman effect. Western countries thought our moon and star is like their cross. They thought we have religious symbol in our flag too like they have. And after Ottoman colapsed some new countries adopted similar flags like ottoman. And over time, the misconception was accepted by everyone and considered as right. I hope I can express it well. Also that symbol could be shown in other nations. When İstanbul was ruled by Christians before us, the symbol of city is also moon and star.(There wasn’t İslam back then) This is the another reason why Ottoman adopted it in the first place.

[Alyssa11]

It doesn't really mean much to me... but a lot of the time I think it might be the best way to go from a political perspective. Mixing politics and religion is always a bad idea.

[Anonymous]

Means freedom of religion, but a complete separation between religion and the state. It's a great thing, invented by the French and now practiced all over the EU!

[Starwitch23]

Well in India it means we respect everyone's religion and be tolerant towards other when it comes to religious sentiments.

[Julielamar2]

Oh really, with Islam did it not end with the creation of Pakistan? Despite the naivety of a Gandhi

[Starwitch23]

Yeah it ended but with the consensus of people who wanted to have a separate nation for themselves. But, many Muslims live in India. Around 17 percent but yes they do. Well, Indian constitution was formed after independence of India ( that means after Pakistan's independence day).

[Julielamar2]

Oh ok, I have a friend who is very interested in India on this site, would you mind talking with her?

[Starwitch23]

Yeah sure.

[Starwitch23]

I mean open to talk to her.

[Manon1998]

It s me , thank you @Starwitch23

[Starwitch23]

Hey!👋

[Manon1998]

can we speak in private message

[Starwitch23]

Sure

[sarahlumpkin]

They don't take divinity into account. Not that God does not exist but he is irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

Secular means - not ruled by religion.

[TheFlak38]

not paying taxes to the church.