2. Understanding Secularism

 2. Understanding Secularism

Ncert solution for class 8 social science political (civics) chapter-02. 

Question. 1. List the different types of religious practice that you find in your neighborhood. This could be different forms of prayer, worship of different gods, sacred sites, different kinds of religious music and singing, etc. Does this indicate freedom of religious practice?

Answer. Different types of religious practice:
(1) Jagran
(2) Kirtan
(3) Namaj
(4) Mass
(5) Havan
Yes, this indicates freedom of religious practice.

Question. 2. Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer.  The government will surely intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide. Needless to say that the practice of infanticide is a crime. Under this practice the life of a newly-born child is killed. The law does not allow anyone to kill a life.

Question. 3 Complete the following table:. (VIEW FROM BOOK)

Answer.:

Question. 4. Look up the annual calendar of holidays of your school. How many of them pertain to different  religions? What does this indicate?
Answer.   The annual calendar of our school marks holidays like Eid, which is celebrated by Muslims. Diwali, which is a Hindu festival, Christmas, which is celebrated by Christians and Guru Nanak Jayanti which is a Sikh festival. This proves that India is a secular country and every individual has the right to religious freedom.

Question. 5. Find out some examples of different views within the same religion.

Answer. Some examples of different views within the same religion are as follows:
A. Hindus worship different idols of Gods and Goddesses.  
B. Muslims are divided into Shia and Sunni.
C. Follows of  Lord Mahavir are called Jains.
D. Buddhist followers are divided into Mahayan and Hinyan.

EXTRA QUESTIONS

Question. 1.What examples does history provide us on the grounds of religion?
Answer. History provides us with several examples of discrimination, exclusion and persecution on the grounds of religion.

Question. 2.How are non-Muslims treated in Saudi Arabia?
Answer. In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims are not allowed to build a temple, church etc. They also cannot gather in a public place for prayers.

Question. 3.Why cannot government schools celebrate religious festivals?
Answer. Government schools cannot celebrate religious festivals because it will be a violation of government’s policy of treating all religions equally.

Question. 4.Why is Paramjit allowed to drive in pagri?
Answer. Paramjit is a Sikh youth and for him wearing a pagri is a very important part of his religion.