Obama has set the tone for a secular nation

I grew up in India, a country that is deeply steeped in religion and spiritualism, and yet it is a country that promotes itself as a secular nation where people of all religions and faith can happily co-exist.

In the United States, surprisingly, the word "secular" is often equated with "atheist". Yet that is farthest from the truth.

Secularism promotes freedom to practice any religion, or NOT practice a religion, if one so wishes. And, secularism promotes total separation of religion and state.

When Obama said in his inaugural speech that "We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers", it resonated deeply with me. I think it portends very well for the future direction of the country. The United States is the epitome of freedom in many ways. Yet of late we were witnessing a ridiculous and mindless trend in the name of being "politically correct" where everyone was so scared to refer to any religion for fear of offending someone or the other. I think the height of this was the effort to take Christ out of Christmas and call it by the generic name of "the Holiday Season". "Seasons Greetings" became more in vogue than the plain and simple "Merry Christmas".

Coming from a secular nation, I found it quite illogical. What's wrong in greeting a Christian on a christian holiday, a Muslim on a muslim holiday, a Jew of a jewish holiday and a Hindu on a hindu holiday?

Obama's reference to the "non believers" is a happy turn towards sanity and acknowledgment of our religious diversity and secular freedom.

Way to go, Obama.

*****

My friend Mike Schoeffler had this comment (via Facebook):

America has always struck a balance between the deep religiosity of her people and the freedom to worship as desired. While these characteristics appear superficially opposed, they actually reinforce each other. Religion grows in the absence of coercion and freedom (often) grows when protected by religious people. 

Your attention to this balance is striking - the similarity with India isn't often discussed. This common religiosity/freedom is one of the strongest reasons for the depth of the US-Israeli alliance. This factor may also explain some of the loosening of bonds with Europe.

This factor may point to an ever stronger alliance with India. History will record President Bush's outreach to India as one of the highlights of his foreign policy. Let's hope President Obama will enhance our relationship with the world's largest democracy.