| Ok. I have elaborated here. Thoughts? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Norway#:~:te.... […]Christianity is the largest religion in Norway and Norway has historically been called a Christian country. A majority of the population are members of the Church of Norway with 64.9% of the population officially belonging to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norway in 2021.[..] FACT: if the majority of the population OFFICIALLY follows the Christian faith, then the DOMINANT religion is Christianity. https://www.worldpolicycenter.org/policies/how-do-countries-... [..]Special relationship with specific religion means that the constitution explicitly states it is secular, but establishes a special relationship with one specific religion. Types of special relationships include referencing a traditional religion, acknowledging the historical influence of a specific religion, or stating that the state is founded upon values or principles from a single religious tradition Privileges religion over nonbelief means that the constitution explicitly states it is secular, but includes provisions to support religious practice over non-belief, such as granting tax exemptions to religious organizations, allowing religion in public schools, or recognizing or partnering with religious organizations in certain areas. God included in oath of office means that the constitution explicitly states it is secular, but has certain officials swear before God in the official oath of office included in the constitution. The constitution does not provide for a further role for religion. References God in preamble means that the constitution explicitly states it is secular, but references or thanks God in the preamble of the constitution. The constitution does not provide for a further role for religion. No role for religion means that the constitution explicitly states it is secular and provides no role for religion. The constitution may explicitly place limitations on the role of religion.[..] FACT: Only 5 countries satisfy the last criteria. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secularism_in_India#:~:text=.... [..]The overlap of religion and state, through Concurrent List structure, has given various religions in India, state support to religious schools and personal laws. This state intervention while resonant with the dictates of each religion, are unequal and conflicting. For example, a 1951 Religious and Charitable Endowment Indian law allows state governments to forcibly take over, own and operate Hindu temples, and collect revenue from offerings and redistribute that revenue to any non-temple purposes including maintenance of religious institutions opposed to the temple; Indian law also allows Islamic and other minority religious schools to receive partial financial support from state and central government of India, to offer religious indoctrination, if the school agrees that the student has an option to opt out from religious indoctrination if he or she so asks, and that the school will not discriminate any student based on religion, race or any other grounds.[..] FACT: India is officially a secular state being the seat of Hinduism where a billion Hindus live. It is a pseudo secular state when the majority are being subjected to special rules to appease the minority. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Uniform_Civil_C... [..]The Uniform Civil Code is a proposal in India to formulate and implement personal laws of citizens which apply on all citizens equally regardless of their religion. Currently, personal laws of various communities are governed by their religious scriptures.[..] FACT: Personal laws cover marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and maintenance. [..]Personal laws were first framed during the British Raj, mainly for Hindu and Muslim citizens. UCC emerged as a crucial topic of interest in Indian politics following the Shah Bano case in 1985. The debate arose on the question of making certain laws applicable to all citizens without abridging the fundamental right to practice religious functions. The debate then focused on the Muslim Personal Law, which is partially based on the Sharia law, permitting unilateral divorce, polygamy and putting it among the legally applying the Sharia law. Relevant to the parent here, Indian temples are managed by the state and every other religious institution is managed by their adherents despite Hinduism being the dominant religion in an officially secular state. This gives special privileges to minorities while being extractive and punitive towards the Hindu majority adherants.[..] |
All religions in Norway are treated equally. Yes, there are Tax exemptions and financial support, but all religions, faiths and even humanistic organizations get the same benefit. There is no special treatments.
We still have some remnants due to historical and cultural reasons, as is natural (public holidays based on christian traditions), but if you follow a different religion, you have the right to extra days off in addition to the traditional holidays.
The only constitutional remnant is that the King should mention "so help me God" in his oath. But the King is strictly symbolic.
Let's remember the context for my reply. You stated that you saw no reason why India could not have an official religion, because European countries (Norway) had Christianity as an official religion.
My point is what you want is actually a huge difference from what Norway has and it is misleading to include it and many other countries (like Sweden) as examples.
Personally, I would be concerned if religion was mixed with politics. History has shown that it often does not work well.