A Review: The Boundaries of Faith and The Breadth of Secularism

Throughout history, religion and politics have intertwined in ways that shape societies, often at the cost of human lives. While ancient civilizations practiced literal human sacrifice to appease deities and maintain social order, modern states engage in ideological purges under the guise of political and religious purity. From Iran’s theocratic governance to India’s rising religious nationalism, the fusion of faith and state power continues to marginalize dissenting voices. But is the solution to suppress religion altogether? Or is there a way to break this dangerous cycle without erasing faith from public life?

Iran: When Religion Becomes the State

Following the 1979 revolution, Iran institutionalized the doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist), effectively subordinating state power to religious authority. In theory, this system ensures governance aligned with Islamic principles. In practice, it has transformed faith into an instrument of political control. Religion is no longer a personal matter but a state-enforced ideology, used to silence opposition and maintain ideological homogeneity. Those who challenge this unity are branded as rebels or apostates, often facing dire consequences. This dynamic mirrors ancient practices where societies offered sacrifices to preserve their supposed purity—except today, the sacrifices are political dissidents and marginalised communities.

Saudi Arabia: The State as the Sole Custodian of Faith

Unlike Iran, where religion fuels grassroots political mobilisation, Saudi Arabia has adopted a top-down model where the monarchy retains exclusive control over religious interpretation. By centralising religious authority, the state prevents the public from using faith as a tool for political opposition. While this model curtails the misuse of religion for populist extremism, it does not equate to religious freedom. Rather, it ensures that faith remains a controlled entity, wielded solely by the ruling elite to maintain their grip on power. Here, too, religion serves as a mechanism of control—albeit one that suppresses grassroots religious movements rather than empowering them.

India: The Rise of Religious Nationalism

In India, the ascent of Hindutva ideology under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), illustrates the dangers of majoritarian nationalism. By conflating Hindu identity with national identity, the ruling establishment has systematically othered religious minorities, branding them as outsiders or traitors. The gradual erosion of secularism has led to an environment where non-Hindus face increasing discrimination, forced to either assimilate or exist in perpetual insecurity. This transformation showcases how religion, when politicised, becomes a tool for societal exclusion rather than spiritual enrichment.

Myanmar: The Weaponization of Faith Against the Rohingya

Myanmar presents a harrowing example of how religion, when tied to state identity, can justify atrocities. The Buddhist-majority nation has systematically persecuted the Rohingya Muslim population, portraying them as foreign elements unworthy of citizenship. The government has so deeply intertwined Buddhist identity with national belonging that those who do not conform face expulsion—whether through genocide, forced displacement, or systemic discrimination. This pattern, reminiscent of historical ethnic purges, highlights a disturbing global trend: the state’s relentless pursuit of ideological purity at the cost of human lives.

The Solution: Secularism as a Safeguard, Not an Attack on Faith

The answer to these crises is not the suppression of religion but the prevention of its political exploitation. Religion, in its essence, is not the problem—its manipulation for political gain is. History reveals that whenever religion has been absorbed into state machinery, it has been used to justify oppression in the name of national or ideological purity. Secular governance does not mean hostility toward religion; rather, it ensures that faith remains a personal belief rather than a political weapon. A truly democratic state must protect all its citizens equally, without favoring one religious identity over others.

Summary

The world has repeatedly witnessed the dangers of politicized religion—from Iran’s theocratic oppression to Myanmar’s ethnic cleansing. If we seek a peaceful society, we must detach faith from the state and build political systems based on civic rights rather than religious identity. Secularism is not the enemy of religion; it is the guardian of diversity, ensuring that belief remains a source of personal fulfillment rather than a justification for systemic persecution. In a world rife with ideological conflict, the only path forward is one where differing faiths coexist—not as political weapons, but as individual convictions.