Difference between Secular and Liberal

Key difference: Secular means having no religious affinities. Liberal means having social and political views favoring progress and reformation.

Liberal means having views advocating political freedom. It is a political ideology. It is a whole set of ideals. Liberal democracy is a form of government based on limited majority rule. It is based on the foundation of liberty and equality. It supports a wide array of views depending on the understanding of these principles; they also promote ideas such as free and fair elections, civil rights, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and private property. It rejects the notions like hereditary privilege, state religion, absolute monarchy, and the Divine Right of the Kings. It states that each man has the right to life, liberty and property. It can be classified into the following:

  • Classical liberalism, it is a political or social philosophy advocating the freedom of individuals, a correct parliamentary system of government, and no modification in political, social, or economic reforms and to assure complete development in all aspects of human endeavors. It guarantees individual rights and civil liberties.
  • Conservative liberalism, an option of liberalism in which liberal values and policies are combined with traditions.
    Economic liberalism is an ideological belief which helps in organizing the economy lines.
 

A secular state is a concept wherein a state or country promotes itself to be officially neutral in the matters of religion, supporting neither religion nor irreligion. It is independent of religion. All citizens are treated equal regardless of their religion and avoid being biased for a citizen of a particular religion. The government frees people from all the rules and teachings of religion. The government is not influenced by religion; it does include religion while making decisions for the state. There is no establishment of religion in the state. The lack of religion in a state does not make it secular. Secular states become secular by the establishment of the state (e.g. United States of America or India) or upon secularization of the state.

Comparison between Secular and Liberal:

 

Secular

Liberal

Definition

It means having no religious affinities.

It means having social and political views favoring progress and reformation.

Ideology

It is a philosophical and political ideology.

It is a whole set of ideals.

Promotion

It advances the philosophies of human arts and science.

It promotes ideas such as fair elections, civil rights, freedom of the press, freedom of religion.

Religion

It does not include religion in politics.

There is freedom of religion.

Politics

It is not influenced by religious beliefs.

It has political freedom.

Examples

China, Nepal and India.

Angola, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Image Courtesy: zcache.com, centreright.in

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Comments

India is not a secular state it is totally Hindu religion base state.Although she has claimed of secularism but we can watch their political procession and statements from their politicians and public that they are expanding Hinduism and giving torture to other religions followers.

its funny reading this cause so called secular countrys like usa and india both elected their currents rulers on the name of religion trump played prophet jesus card openly so did narinder modi card of hinhuism

India may be not so much as per recent development. Just like US, Indian Govt have started interfering religion into politics.

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