What Would a Secular World Be Like?

by Anushka Kar

There is always the question, after studying and understanding religion, what the world would be like without the concept. Would we be better off without worshipping a higher being, or would we simply be confused, searching for something else within our universe to dedicate or ponder our lives upon? Would we be more at peace, or at war? Would we be surrounded by more love, or hate?

After reading and analysing poems by both Larkin and Duffy -in particular ‘Water’ and ‘Prayer’- the question of whether a secular ‘religion’ would be just inbetween what the world perhaps needed was raised in a discussion I had. A religion not based around a higher being, but the concept of the maintenance of unity by a common human need, and ethical reasoning. Interpretations of the poem ‘Water’ by Larkin suggest that with a religion constructed around a common need for humans (water) and secularity, unity naturally falls into place. The concept is very much controversial to those who are in faith, but has an appealing simplicity to it. Would it be possible to live so simply, or would complications arise due to human nature?

Take for example, France- a secular country, is it truly peaceful? In attempt to become more secular, religion as a subject is not taught while religious symbols were banned in 2004. As expected, an uproar was caused since the rest of the world is not secular- worldwide protests were caused by people in faith who wore symbols as a law of their faith such as headscarves or Islamic veils. So is it that secularity is not peaceful, or secularity within a world where over 80% of individuals are religious, is too controversial?