I am starting this thread on Secularism, as it applies or ought to apply to Pakistan. What is secularism, and what does it entail? To what extent is Pakistan secular? How does it compare with Turkey? How much more secular do we need to become?
Are there any groups in Pakistan working for secularism?
Let the serious discussion begin…
Re: Secularism: Theory and Practice
Pakistan is different from Turkey in one major respect:
Pakistan has an Islamic constitution since 1973 that no pakistani government since has ever fully adhered to.
The preamble to Pakistan's consitution states in its opening lines:
**Whereas sovereignty over the entire Universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone, and the authority to be exercised by the people of Pakistan within the limits prescribed by Him is a sacred trust;
And whereas it is the will of the people of Pakistan to establish an order :-
Wherein the State shall exercise its powers and authority through the chosen representatives of the people;
Wherein the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice, as enunciated by Islam, shall be fully observed;
Wherein the Muslims shall be enabled to order their lives in the individual and collective spheres in accordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and Sunnah;
**
Re: Secularism: Theory and Practice
let's not allow this thread to become another India vs Pakistan bashing match. Please stay focussed on the topic: secularism in Pakistan + the concept of secularism itself.
Re: Secularism: Theory and Practice
I think these provisions in the Constitution should be struck out. They were inserted as a sop to fundamentalists. It was thought the mullahtoos would calm down if these provisions were inserted. The contrary has happened. Therefore, it’s best to take the fundamentalist beast by the horns.
Re: Secularism: Theory and Practice
Pakistan 1947-1973 was a fairly secular country..some writers like Cohen say that was because of Bengali influences..
Re: Secularism: Theory and Practice
a) Cohen is an idiot
b) Secularism in Pakistan means simply one thing: the persuit of wealth by the rich in powerful at the expense of the security and well being of the masses.
Even religious politics is secular in that the end results are for personal worldly gain, rather than affecting society for the better...
Re: Secularism: Theory and Practice
There's too much internal contention to allow secularism to exist at a comparative level in pak. the question i would look at would be the challenges that are imposed or are hindering domestic autonomy, thus allowing secularism.
Re: Secularism: Theory and Practice
Religious pluralism not secularism
Re: Secularism: Theory and Practice
just to please secularists like you? 
Re: Secularism: Theory and Practice
Well, i'm from Turkey, i've some words to say. The problem is that, people don't understand secularism right. First of all secularism is for states not for human. A human can't be secular but a state can be.