Indian identity
Indians comprise one of the largest Asian Americans in the United States. There has been a conflict in the relation between the two concepts of religion and secularism. Issues surrounding the two concepts seem to be contradictory. There has been misuse of the various icons commonly used by the Indians in many retail items. The Indians have a diversified culture, such as vegetarianism culture, sexual chastity, among many others. The secularization aspect of the Hindu is demonstrated by the use of flip-flops and bikinis. One of the critic’s points of secularization is the misuse of the Hindu deities. The state has a great impact on religion and secularization. Religion is characterized by biopower and sovereignty. The concept of sovereignty raises the question about how the sate and religion relate. The wearing of traditional attire and other traditional design elements among the Hindu indicates identity preservation. The Hindu community has not been satisfied by the misuse of their symbols and unique clothing, such as the bikinis and the thongs by the other communities. The identity of the Indian people is enshrined in modernism, culture, and secularism. Many Indians in the United States consist of immigrants who grasp to understand and define their identity clearly. Many of the Indians in the United States are treated as part of the minority immigrants. There has been a clash between the Hindu Americans and corporate Americans. Two of the critical studies that have illustrated this scenario include the AEO and the McDonalds. The two case studies depict the role of activism in the interplay of aspects such as Hindu icons and symbols, their culture, and religious identities. Secular supporters perceive supporters of religious naturalism as irrational and backward. On the other hand, the nationalists perceive secular nationalists as liberals. However, the two concepts are closely related under one umbrella. The two concepts have different social and historical backgrounds. Many countries such as turkey have transformed from secularism to religious nationalisms while others have moved from religious nationalists to secular nationalists. The Turkish president converted turkey to a secularism nationality through the elimination of sharia law and introduced parliament instead. The Sundays were also scrapped off. Many people who embraced secularism could not allow religious practices such as wearing of hijab by students. Many of the political leaders were denied the opportunity to represent certain groups of religious and ethnic religions.
The United States has many Indian Americans but can be perceived to be a secular nation. However, the United States demonstrates the belief in God in the writings of its currency “In God we trust.” Many of the United Nations presidents have been identified with Christianity, and the slogan one person serves to bring everyone together regardless of the religion. The United States has diverse religions; some philosophers categorize it as having a pluralism nationality where the many religions coexist in peace without any conflicts.
The Hindu people have struggled over time to reach their identity as a people. Majority of the Hindu people in the United States struggle in claiming their identity between religion and secular nationalities. The issues of misuse of essential symbols in Hindu have been a great issue of concern.
Works Cited
Religious and secular nationalism. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62zSU-U9GGE
Peter Berger on the failure of the secularization hypothesis. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62zSU-U9GGE
Hinduism and Materiality