Can a nonsecular state be considered "rational"?

[Swedishguy]

North Korea (secular).

Are you seriously calling North Korea secular?! North Korea is as close as it gets to a theocracy these days. Believe me, North Korea is NOT secular.

 

[GenMarshall]

Are you seriously calling North Korea secular?! North Korea is as close as it gets to a theocracy these days. Believe me, North Korea is NOT secular.

I hope you're not serious. North Korea is indeed secular. Don't confuse the North Korean's sponsorship of religious groups as it only creates an illusion of religious freedom. In actuality, freedom of religion is virtually non-existent in North Korea. Calling North Korea "as close as it gets to a theocracy" is just silly.

 

[Swedishguy]

religious freedom

I thought that was the very definition of "secularism".

 

[GenMarshall]

I thought that was the very definition of "secularism".

Even atheistic states such as the Former Soviet Union was both secular and yet did not have religious freedom to their people.

The PROC has religious freedom, but they are kept on watch by the ruling Chinese Communist party.

So Religious freedom =/= secularism.

 

[kuukkeli]

I voted no (shocking, I know). I'm also claiming that no state run by politicians can be rational. Not that 100% rational state would necessary be that pleasant to live in.

I thought that was the very definition of "secularism".

Secular is just not religious, so an atheist state that punishes all displays of faith by death would be secular despite the lack of religious freedom.

 

[Theige]

How about, Can an uneducated, arrogant, ignorant country be rational?

 

[The Yankee]

I hope you're not serious. North Korea is indeed secular. Don't confuse the North Korean's sponsorship of religious groups as it only creates an illusion of religious freedom. In actuality, freedom of religion is virtually non-existent in North Korea. Calling North Korea "as close as it gets to a theocracy" is just silly.

There is that whole Juche worship ideology in place in the DPRK.