Depending on who you ask, secularism can be defined in multiple ways. Growing up as a protestant Christian I always thought that for something to be considered secular it had to be forbidden or looked down upon by the Bible. Because my country, Tanzania, has a religiously split population of 50 percent Muslims and 50 percent of Christians I’ve been learning through my Muslim friends thought some of the things that I do as a Christian are secular to them. After learning more about the middle east and it’s ever-changing relationship to the world I now realize that the middle east and the west, which includes the United States and other first world countries, may have the same problem.
Civilization is the stage of human social and cultural development and organization that is considered most advanced and the middle east is home to the world’s earliest acts of civilization. If the middle east has been at the forefront of world civilization for a long time why does it feel like they are currently behind and trying to catch up with the western world? Again, you will receive multiple answers depending on who you ask. Some people might say that it is because western countries practice ideologies that are more secular thus creating friendlier and faster environments for development and modern civilization. While this may be true, it does not necessarily mean that the lack of secularism may be responsible for the slow growth of some middle eastern economies and civilizations. Some middle eastern countries have existed for many years. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is approximately six times the age of the United States. During their 1400 years of existence as a dominantly Islamic state, they have been able to grow with the world and they are now one of the wealthiest nations. More than 80 percent of their 25 million population live in urban areas and at 87 percent they have a higher literacy rate than the United States.
While secularism is not a priority in middle eastern countries like Saudi Arabia it is understandable why it is hard for them to embrace new ways. 1400 years of culture and a way of life cannot be changed because of how a different part of the world feels about it. Saudi Arabia has been rich without embracing the benefits of secularism so they will most likely stay that way. It is important for the world to realize that to be secular does not mean to be developed or progressively civilized. Secularism can just be a different way of life depending on the culture involved.
From your writing, I concluded that people determine their own interpretation of secularism. In addition, regardless of how old a religious or cultural group may be, their beliefs and practices are still vital to their existence regardless of how other groups perceive them. Contrary to our beliefs in the United States, other regions in the world may not view us as the best place to live and work. Cultures that thrive in their religious practices and orders, may not find the United States a comfortable place to live.