Secularization in India Compared to the United States

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Secularization in India Compared to the United States Secularization is a growing trend in many cultures in this diverse world. The word ‘secular’ is defined as “not pertaining to or connected with religion.” (Dictionary.com). This tradition was not a novice idea when adopted by the United States from Europe; nor, when it made its way to Asia. Though this is newer to the United States and India, it is still a useful practice in both countries. Secularization in modern societies differs from country to country. While there are distinct reasons to put secularization into effect, it is considered imperative in both America and India. Secularization proves to be difficult in certain instances. “Religious institutions may inhibit development in some respects, while encouraging it in others.” (Handelman, 2011, p. 62) This is true with both parties. There are aspects that are beneficial in secularization, while several characteristics substantiate a struggle. The differences in secularization in modern society for the United States and India are not shocking, as they are reasonably dissimilar countries. The United States is not considered a third world country, as India is measured to be. Though, it seems India is on the brink of breaking out of the third world stigma. The United States’ Constitution has provided America with the separation of church and state since the nineteenth century; India’s insertion of ‘secular’ into the Preamble to their Constitution came much later. The separation of religion from the state is a much more novice idea to India. There is no doubt, too, that this is the way India represents itself, ideologically speaking. The Preamble to the Constitution identifies the country as a ‘sovereign socialist secular democratic republic’, a position that the judiciary has consistently upheld since 1947. (Copland, 2010, p. 124)
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