Spirituality equalizes mankind

Guest Commentary
Suresh Kurl

A question that keeps irritating my brain cells is, “Is it possible to have an absolutely secular democracy?” No matter how I try to answer this question the resounding response is always, "I don't think so."
Black's Law Dictionary defines the word secular as, "Not spiritual, not ecclesiastical; relating to affairs of the present (temporal) world," making secularism mutually exclusive with democracy. 
Pakistan calls itself a secular democracy.  Its constitutional name is, "The Islamic Republic of Pakistan." Iran is a democracy as well, but governed by its religious Supreme Leaders. Their constitution is subservient to Islam. Their laws are aligned with the holy Quran. If you criticise their Holy Scripture or draw a sketch of the Prophet Muhammad, you could lose your head. Since 1987, Pakistan has accused of over 1300 people of blasphemy. Hope you have not forgotten the Ayatollah Khomenie's fatwa put on Salman Rushdie, or the recent Charlie Hendo Paris massacre. 
Unlike the enforcement of secularism in US and Canada, which envision a separation of religion and state, secularism in India envisions acceptance of religious laws as binding on the state. Though like Pakistan it does not have an official state religion, yet India recently banned the slaughter of cows. 
Almost every democracy reflects, directly or indirectly, its religious and cultural values in their Public Policies. Canadian public policies mirror expressions of kindnessness, compassion, equality, plurality and respect, embedded not only in Christianity but in all the civilized religions, representing the soft spiritual side of humananity. Actually, I cannot imagine what society would look like, feel like, and live like without such a delivery of service. 
I have heard people saying, "I am not a religious person, but I am spiritual." Actually, I have no problem with the kind or colour of name-tag people wear on their lapel. I am good so long as they are not hurting any one.
If they do not believe in a divine or super human power or powers to be obeyed and worshipped as the creator and ruler of the universe, I am all right with them. 
If they do not believe in a specific system of belief, worship or conduct involving a code of ethics and a philosophy, I am all right with them. 
As long as they live a life of compassion, with a desire to help someone in need, to share what they have with the hungry, I am good. After all, the function of religion is to humanise man's nature; to make man behave rationally and emotionally with compassion in the best interest of his fellow human being. If religion fails to do that, it is not worth the paper its teachings are printed on. 
You have heard of Warren Buffet, Bill and Melinda Gates, George Soros and Andrew Carnegie? They are atheists. Yes, atheists; non-believers, Kafirs; definitely not afraid of burning in hell. And yet, before they share their wealth they do not audit the religion, the colour of skin, sexual preferences or nationality of the recipients of their charity. They are colour, creed and nationality blind philanthropists. 
The most precious essence of all civilized religions is spirituality. Spirituality equalises mankind. It opens the doors of our intellectual and emotional windows. It helps us see what other religions, their thoughts and traditions have to offer. Unfortunately, certain religions work hard to keep the same windows shut that spirituality attempts hard to open and keep them open.