Joffre BalcePhilorum 4 March 2014

Economic Secularism

The Case of the Victim at Fault

You shouldn’t have been there!

Insh’Allah!

Shouldn’t there be an investigation?

The Case of the US Sub Prime Crisis

It is the government’s fault for forcing banks

to lend to 1st time homeowners.

So bail us out & exercise fiscal

discipline/austerity for the poor!

Let us help via regulation to serve people’s basic needs/ rights ...

My bad. Let me correct & protect the market & bail banks out.

Political SecularismSeparation of Church & State

Freedom of & from ReligionGeorge Jacob Holyoake (1817 -1906)

Hard: rejection of religionSoft: skepticism of claims; demand for

evidence & factsUS & French Revolution

The end of state religion

A Bit of HistoryMaharajah Ranjit Singh: Not a Western

PhenomenonPunjab, 1st Half of 19 CETo overcome the caste system

Western Age of EnlightenmentFrench Revolution 18th CETo check the collaboration between Church &

Royalty against the interest of the larger society

Aspirations of a Secular SocietyRefuses to commit itself as a whole to any one view

of the nature of the universe and the role of man in it.Is not homogeneous, but is pluralistic.Is tolerant. It widens the sphere of private decision-

making.While every society must have some common aims,

which implies there must be agreed on methods of problem-solving, and a common framework of law; in a secular society these are as limited as possible.

Problem solving is approached rationally, through examination of the facts. While the secular society does not set any overall aim, it helps its members realize their aims.

Is a society without any official images. Nor is there a common ideal type of behaviour with universal application. The Idea of a Secular

Society, D. L. Munby, London, Oxford University Press, 1963, pp. 14–32.

Positive Ideals of a Secular SocietyDeep respect for individuals and the small

groups of which they are a part.Equality of all people.Each person should be helped to realize

their particular excellence.Breaking down of the barriers of class and

caste

The Idea of a Secular Society, D. L. Munby, London, Oxford University Press, 1963, pp. 14–32.

InterpretationsNot atheism or an

aversion to religionMore free, critical &

creative thinking

Political neutrality & impartiality

The right to question & explore/present alternative solutions

Historical ParallelsUS & French

Revolution that led to Political SecularismRoyaltyChurchCommoners

Outnumbered & Practically a Disenfranchised Voter

Global Financial Crisis that must lead to Economic SecularismGovernmentCorporationsWorkforce

Work is a Commodity, Not a Right

Solutions then & NowDeclaration of the

Rights of ManNecessary for human

dignityRights are not

endowed by a god or governments

Inherent, intrinsic & inalienable to man

Universal in acceptance & respect

Universal & Equal Suffrage

Legal & Operational Definition of a HumanCorporations & other

institutions are NOT human beings whose rights do not supercede or subordinate a human’s

Must be decided by the people through science

Citizen’s Dividend/ Basic Safety Net

Reforms NeededDe-Commercializing

the Exercise of Suffrage

Stop Commodifying Rights. Uphold Them!By all means, protest!

Repeal the Legal Fiction of Corporate PersonhoodThe right to profit

does not trump the right to a dignified life

Democratising the Management of the Currency & TreasuryDirect

Representation but Non-Partisan

Balance Needs & Debasement of Currency

Fiscal ReformsLand Value TaxationCitizen’s Dividend

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATIONTHANK YOU!

Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire.~ William Butler Yeats

Damn the gods! Learn to make your own fire!