Secular Government Defined

[suchandra]

Often we hear, secular government what we have right now practically everywhere means godless government, "So it doesn’t matter whether it is executed through a system called Hindu religion or a system called Muslim religion or a system called Christian religion. If the objective is the same, Adhokṣaja, then that process is first-class religion. If we simply stick to a system without making any progress towards the goal of understanding the Adhoksaja, then it is śrama eva hi kevalam". (Bombay, January 12, 1975)

 

"It may be secular government. The secular government does not mean that the whole citizens should be less religious, godless. Secular government should see that even there are many religious sects, just like Hindus or Muslim and Christians, so secular government does not mean that they should neglect. They should see that the Hindus are strictly following the principles of Hindu religion, the Mohammedans are strictly following the principles of Mohammedan religion or… That is government’s duty. Nobody should remain unemployed. That is government’s duty. There are so many things. They are all described in connection with Mahārāja Prithu, one noble king.

 

source: http://www.wbgov.com/e-gov/English/HomePageMain.asp

If this is followed, then it is really secular government. A government must see whether—you are claiming as a brāhmana—whether you are actually discharging your duties as a brāhmana. That is secular government. You are claiming as a ksatriya; whether you are discharging your duties as a ksatriya? You are a vaiśya; whether you are discharging your duties as vaiśya? This is government’s duty. That is cātur-varnyam mayā sristam [bg. 4.13] Now they are eager to wash off this social system. They want classless society. But in the material world there cannot be any classless society. It is not possible."

 

Bhagavad-gītā 2.2-6

by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

Ahmedabad, December 11, 1972

 

http://causelessmercy.com/t/t/721211BG.AHM.htm?i=1972

[Kulapavana]

 

Often we hear, secular government what we have right now practically everywhere means godless government, "So it doesn’t matter whether it is executed through a system called Hindu religion or a system called Muslim religion or a system called Christian religion. If the objective is the same, Adhokṣaja, then that process is first-class religion. If we simply stick to a system without making any progress towards the goal of understanding the Adhoksaja, then it is śrama eva hi kevalam". (Bombay, January 12, 1975)

 

 

One might say that the religious governments of the past, especially the Muslim and Christian governments, were terribly harsh on people when it comes to freedom of religion. I doubt very much that Prabhupada would defend Inquisition, or destruction of Hindu temples by the Muslim government. I would much rather live under a secular government than under a rule of Taliban-type religion. Prabhupada experienced his greatest success in countries with democratic type governments, like USA, and not in Saudi Arabia which has a religion based government.

[theist]

What I see as the best we can get or expect in these times is a government that respects and protects everyone's religious practices as long as they are not harmful to the social body at large and does not promote one religion over another.

 

There are certain tenents of religion which are shared by all spiritual paths like non violence, showing care and kindness to others, etc. that should be actively promoted throughout society through government without need for a particular religon's stamp on it.

 

For instance in the Ten commandments from Judaism we have things like Do not Murder, Do not Steal, etc. These ideals should be promoted but there is no need to tie such ideals to Moses and the stone tablets which established the prinicples of Judaism, at least by the goverment. These principles cross religious boundaries and even atheists would agree to their merit.

 

At the same time the government cannot interfer with any individuals right to accept these principles in the religious context of their choice plus any other belief they may have about God or their free expression of these beliefs.

 

Nothing new here this is the basic framework of the US Constituiton. Unfortunately we are now in a situation where many believe no establishment of religion means freedom from religion. This kali-yuga 'logic' is responsible for dragging modern culture from the platform of human society to something more akin to animal society.

[Kulapavana]

 

For instance in the Ten commandments from Judaism we have things like Do not Murder, Do not Steal, etc. These ideals should be promoted but there is no need to tie such ideals to Moses and the stone tablets which established the prinicples of Judaism, at least by the goverment. These principles cross religious boundaries and even atheists would agree to their merit.

 

That is certainly the idea of pretty much all secular governments. These moral principles form a foundation of any stable state.

[suchandra]

 

I doubt very much that Prabhupada would defend Inquisition, or destruction of Hindu temples by the Muslim government.

The point being made is that secular governments should check that all the different religions in the country actually follow their rules.

 

Just like they carefully check if you properly pay taxes they should also check if priests are saints or swindlers. Indeed a difficult task but it makes sense.

 

When a church, mosque or temple proclaims, we make you God conscious they should go unchecked, but the consumption of electricity of your household is checked day and night?

[theist]

 

The point being made is that secular governments should check that all the different religions in the country actually follow their rules.

 

Just like they carefully check if you properly pay taxes they should also check if priests are saints or swindlers. Indeed a difficult task but it makes sense.

 

When a church, mosque or temple proclaims, we make you God conscious they should go unchecked, but the consumption of electricity of your household is checked day and night?

 

I can agree in priciple but we are in the awkward position of our politicans being swindlers, so that leaves us with the swindlers of one class checking the swindlers of another class.

 

Maybe the best we can hope for is strong checking to see if their non-profit programs that take in money from the public to preform charitable activites actually use the money for the stated purpose. But who in the government is qualified to self if the adherents are becoming God conscious when they can't even distinquish between themselves and their material bodies, even theoretically. Today they would shut down the hare krsna's on the basis of idol worship not being able to distinquish the Murti from and idol.

 

I just want the government out of the religious business altogether. It is not the best position but I think the best we can get in this age. No Prithu, no Pariksit for us.

 

Just my opinion.

[Kulapavana]

 

The point being made is that secular governments should check that all the different religions in the country actually follow their rules.

 

Just like they carefully check if you properly pay taxes they should also check if priests are saints or swindlers. Indeed a difficult task but it makes sense.

 

When a church, mosque or temple proclaims, we make you God conscious they should go unchecked, but the consumption of electricity of your household is checked day and night?

 

It is far easier for anybody to make sure you pay your taxes or elecric bills than to make sure you follow the 4 regs and chant 16 rounds.