Secularism is not atheism

Secularism is the separation of the state and religious organisations, the state’s not giving priority to any religion, and the equality of all citizens before the law regardless of religion. Atheism (Greek “atheos” – without god) is the view of not believing in God, that is, one of the personal convictions. Thus a secular state treats religious and non-religious citizens equally and makes neither atheism nor any religion compulsory. “Secularisation” (Latin “saeculum” – worldly) is a scholarly term for the change in the place of religion in social and political life. Around the world there are different forms of secularism: for example “laïcité” in France, the principle of separation of church and state in the USA, and in the United Kingdom, where an established church exists, freedom of belief is still guaranteed. State atheism in the Soviet period, unlike secularism, was a policy directed against religion: believers came under pressure; this also left a mark on the history of Uzbekistan. In present-day Uzbekistan the Constitution and the law guarantee the separation of religion and state, freedom of conscience and equality; at the same time the state treats religious values with respect: the Eids (Ramadan and Qurban) are official days off, and the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and the Imam al-Bukhari International Research Centre operate. Most Muslim scholars regard laws adopted in the interest of society and not contradicting the basic principles of the shari’a as acceptable; there are also people who think differently. Summary of the course: studying religions objectively provides a basis for tolerance, mutual respect and obeying the law.