Understanding Secularism class 8 questions and answers: Class 8 Political Science chapter 2 question answer
| Textbook | Ncert |
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | Civics |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 |
| Chapter Name | Understanding Secularism class 8 ncert solutions |
| Category | Ncert Solutions |
| Medium | English |
Are you looking for Class 8 Civics chapter 2 question answer? Now you can download Understanding Secularism class 8 questions and answers pdf from here.
Question 1: List the different types of religious practice that you find in your neighbourhood. 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 1: In my neighborhood, there are various religious practices, including Hindu temple worship with aarti and bhajans, Muslim prayers (Namaz) at mosques, Christian church services with hymns, Sikh Gurudwara prayers with kirtan, and Buddhist meditation sessions.
Sacred sites like temples, mosques, churches, and gurudwaras exist, and religious festivals are celebrated openly. This diversity indicates freedom of religious practice, as people can worship according to their beliefs without restriction.
Question 2: Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practise infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer 2: 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:
| Objective | Why is it important | Example of a violation of this objective |
| One religious community does not dominate another | ||
| The state does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals | ||
| That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community |
Answer 3:
| Objective | Why is it important | Example of a violation of this objective |
| One religious community does not dominate another | It is important because the Constitution gives the right to religious freedom to all, and if it is not provided, there may be chances of riots and a disturbance of harmony in the country. | Stopping the people of a particular religion from celebrating their festival |
| The state does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals | It is important that every individual in a country has the right to follow the religion of their choice. This is what makes the nation a secular country. | India is a country where people from different castes and religions reside. |
| That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community | Religion cannot be divided on the basis of wealth or creed. Hence, it is important that no member dominates other members from the same religion. Following their religion is the right of every individual. | Distinguishing between upper-class and lower-class. |
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 4: The annual school calendar includes holidays for various religious festivals such as Diwali (Hindu), Eid (Muslim), Christmas (Christian), Guru Nanak Jayanti (Sikh), and Buddha Purnima (Buddhist). This indicates respect for religious diversity and inclusivity, allowing students from different faiths to celebrate their traditions.
Question 5: Find out some examples of different views within the same religion.
Answer 5: Within the same religion, different views exist. For example:
- Hinduism: Some follow Vaishnavism (devotees of Vishnu), while others follow Shaivism (devotees of Shiva).
- Islam: There are Sunni and Shia sects with different interpretations of leadership after Prophet Muhammad.
- Christianity: Catholics and Protestants have different beliefs about church authority and practices.
- Buddhism: Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism have different approaches to enlightenment.
Question 6: The Indian State both keeps away from religion as well as intervenes in religion. This idea can be quite confusing. Discuss this once again in class using examples from the chapter as well as those that you might have come up with.
Answer 6: India is a land of complex ideas. It is difficult to understand what it really wants. There are many ideals in the Constitution but practices are quite different from them. In many cases we see laws explain a concept in a different way. But people interpret it differently.
Law itself in some cases acts differently. As for example, in secular state law has nothing to say in any of the practices of the religion but when the dominance of upper castes in religion was brought to question the law took favour of the lower castes. This interference of the State creates confusion.
Question 7: This poster alongside highlights the need for ‘Peace’. It says, “Peace is a never-ending process….It cannot ignore our differences or overlook our common interests.” Write in your own words what you think the above sentences are trying to convey? How does it relate to the need for religious tolerance?
Answer 7: The quote emphasizes that peace is an ongoing effort that requires understanding and cooperation. It acknowledges that people have differences, but true peace comes from recognizing both differences and shared interests rather than ignoring them.
This relates to religious tolerance because different faiths and beliefs exist in society, and peaceful coexistence depends on respecting and accepting these differences. By embracing diversity and finding common ground, people can work together to create a harmonious and inclusive world.