Why is it Important to Separate State from Religion?
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 9th, 2023
It is important to separate the state from religion to ensure people’s freedom to leave their faith, adopt another religion, or have the freedom to interpret religious teachings in diverse ways. If the state endorses or makes religion official, the minority or other religious groups will suffer negative consequences. Simply put, it emphasizes the “Separation of Religion from State.” Religion has no place in the state’s social, economic, or political affairs.
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Importance of Separating State from Religion
In a culture that values religious diversity, not all religions are equally represented. A majority of people may follow one religion, which becomes the dominant religion, while the other religions become minorities. Religious supremacy, denigration of other religions, and prejudice against minorities will result in such situations.
- There may be serious incidents, such as the murder of minorities or the use of coercion, which is the use of force to achieve goals.
- In a society with many different religions, people should have the freedom to practice any religion they want or none at all.
- To ensure the peaceful coexistence of many different religions, to prevent the supremacy of one or more religions, and to ensure that individuals have the freedom to practice their religion as they see fit, the state and religion must be kept separate.
- As a result, it is preferable to establish democracy in a secular state.
- Therefore, rather than attempting to keep religion out of people’s lives, we must aim to treat religion as a personal matter and confine it to people’s private lives. This is because when religion is mixed with politics, it can lead to communal riots and violence which must be avoided at all costs.
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