Secularism Questions and Answers AP Inter 1st Year Civics Chapter 10

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AP Inter 1st Year Civics 10th Lesson Secularism Questions and Answers

Very Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
What are the types of Secularism?
Answer:
Types of Secularism:

1. Subjective Secularism
2. Objective Secularism

Question 2.
What do you mean by theocracy?
Answer:

• ‘Theo’ means ‘God’ and ‘cracy’ means ‘rule’ in practice. So, theocracy means rule by God.
• It implies rule by priests. It is originated from the theory that all legitimate powers emanate from God.

Question 3.
Define a Secular State.
Answer:
D.E. Smith defined secular state as one which guarantees individual and corporate freedom of religion, which deals with the individuals as a citizen irrespective of his religion. Further a Secular State, according to him, does not patronize constitutionally a particular religion nor does it seek either to promote or interfere with it”.

Question 4.
Mention any two factors that led to the growth of Secularism.
Answer:
Factors that led to the spread of Secularism.

1. People’s negative attitude towards superstitions.
2. Spread of rational thinking.
3. Spread of democratic values and institutions.
4. Advancement in science and technology.

Question 5.
What is the meaning of an atheistic state?
Answer:
An atheistic state is a country where religion is discouraged and out – iawed. In modern period state atheism is based on Karl Marx’s axiom “Religion is the opium of people”. So atheistic state promotes anti-clericalism. It completely bans the involvement of religion in the everyday life of the citizen.
Ex: China, North Korea.

Question 6.
Mention the dimensions of secularism.
Answer:
The two dimensions of secularism:

1. Inter-religious secularism
2. Intra- religious secularism

Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Mention any four differences between secular state and theocratic state.
Answer:

Question 2.
Explain the features of secular state.
Answer:
Features of Secular State:
1. No place for religion: Secular state does not assign significance to any particular religion. It will not makes laws or implement them on religious grounds.

2. Equal status: Secular state accords equal status to its people. It makes no differentiation between individuals on the grounds of their caste, colour, community, religion, race, region, language etc.

3. No state religion: Secular state does not recognize any particular religion as the state religion. It adopts neutral policy in religious matters. It implements various laws and social welfare measures without basing on the religious feelings of the people.

Question 3.
Write any four points regarding the importance of secular state.
Answer:
The concept of Secular state became more important in recent years.

Factors like democratic spirit, science and technology, rational thinking, led to the growing importance of secular state.

1. Secular state strengthens non – religious forces in various spheres.
2. It drives away the social evils and superstitions from the minds of the people.
3. It promotes scientific temper and supports the intellectual progress of the people.
4. It gives priority to reason over faith, logic over magic and fact over fiction.
5. It ensures the protection of religions minorities.
6. It respects and accomodates each individuals personal religions beliefs.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Define secularism and write any six factors that led to the growth of secularism.
Answer:
The term ‘secular’ in Latin language means ‘this world’. It denotes the meaning ‘the opposite of religion’.

Definition of Secularism:
“Secularism is an idea of promoting a social order as separate from religion without actively dismissing or criticising religious beliefs”. — G.J. Holyoake

Factors that led to the growth of secularism:

1. People’s negative attitude towards superstitions
2. Spread of rational thinking
3. Spread of democratic values and institutions
4. Advancement in science and technology
5. Awareness about the evils of religion
6. Impact of social legislation
7. Need for secular approach
8. Social and Economic betterment of Individuals
9. Influence of secular political leadership
10. Importance to international peace and order.

Question 2.
Explain any four merits of Secularism.
Answer:
Secularism became a prominent philosophy in modern states in tackling various social, economic and political issues.

Merits of Secularism: The following are some of the important merits of secularism:

1. Equality: It treats the people belonging to all religious denominations as equal. It gives no recognition to the man-made inequalities and discriminations based on caste, colour, community, region, religion, language, race etc.

2. Religious Freedom: The state will not interfere in the religious affairs of individuals. The Constitution and various laws in a secular state will provide individuals with complete freedom to embrace, profess, practice and propagate any religion as they like.

3. Law and Order: Secularism avoids communal clashes and religious bigotry and animosities in the society. This is due to the fact that secularism ultimately promotes religious harmony among the people.

4. Rule of Law: A State following secularism will enact laws and implements them keeping in view the interest of not a particular religious denomination, the people belonging to all religious denomination. It will not take into account the religious dogmas while making laws.

5. Tolerance: Secularism preaches tolerance and kindness. It believes in universal brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God. It professes, propagates and practices the noble principles of charity, kindness, love, magnanimity, non-violence etc.

6. National Integration: Secularism serves as the best means for fostering national unity and integrity feelings among the people. It is also considered as the best device for achieving unity in diversity. It brings unity among the people of various religious beliefs and practices.

7. Protection to the minorities: Secularism treats all alike. It makes no discrimination between the people of majority and other sections of society. It teaches the people about the significance of religious tolerance towards minority sections.

8. All-round Progress: The greatest merit of secularism relates to the achievement of all-round progress of the people. This is possible due to the prevalence of rule of law, religious tolerance, neutral attitude of the government etc.

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Who propounded the theory of Theocratic guardianship where the government itself would be secular?
1. Ayatollah Khomeini
2. GH. Holyoake
3. Josephus
4. D.E. Smith
Answer:
1. Ayatollah Khomeini

Question 2.
Which Constitutional Amendment Act of India made a provision for the word ‘Secular in the Preamble’ ?
1. 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act
2. 44th Constitutional Amendment Act
3. 61st Constitutional Amendment Act
4. 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act
Answer:
1. 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act

Question 3.
Identify the features of a secular state.
1. No place for religion
2. Equal status
3. No state religion
4. All of the above
Answer:
4. All of the above

Question 4.
Identify the wrong statement regarding ‘Theocratic state’.
1. It is based primarily on religious elements.
2. There will be a particular religion which is declared as the official religion.
3. Rule of law prevails in a theocratic state.
4. Religious priests and spiritual heads will be given special significance.
Answer:
3. Rule of law prevails in a theocratic state.

Fill in the Blanks

Question 1.
Technically ‘Theocracy’ means ___________.
Answer:
Rule by God

One Word Answers

Question 1.
What is the meaning of the term ‘Secular’ in Latin?
Answer:
This world

Question 2.
Who first used the term ‘Secular’ in modern times?
Answer:
G.J.Holyaoake

Question 3.
The term ‘Theocracy’ was first used by whom?
Answer:
Josephus.