Disadvantages of secularism in developing countries
Answers
It depends on what is meant by Secularism
The encyclopedia definition is the clear separation of government institutions from religious institutions. It means, having the right to be free from religious rule and teachings, or the having access to government servic es no matter what religion of belief one belongs - or does not- to
It allows people from different religions to exist together at the least common denominator, ensuring all their beliefs and rights
It allows government to function on the basis of rational discourse rather than religious dogma
It allows more rights and freedoms to women, who are generally assigned to subservient roles in many belief systems
It promotes scientific and material advancement as this requires free rational discourse
How secularism is interpreted and applied in the world however, differs. For example, in my home country of Turkey, it was for many years interpreted as suppression of religious belief and outward religious signs (like beard or hijab) and even today the term “secular” is used to define a person without strong religious beliefs or an atheist. Consequently, while a big part of the society was transformed by this policy into a more material lifestyle with moderate or no religious commitments, it was rejected as evil by a big conservative part of the society, who to this day utter the word “secular”, and brought forth conservative grass roots political movements like AKP as political backlash.