Compare and contrast the role of religion in various aspects of social life in pluralistic societies like India and USA.

1. USA follows a strict bipartisan model, wherein, religion is separated from state, social life and economy.
2. The Religion is viewed as private matter.
3. Inter-religion harmony is not as powerful as in India as based on majoritarian model. Twin towers attack has given rise to skepticism against Islam in America.
4. USA is a society based on meritocracy. Different ethnic groups, racial groups have freedom to chose occupational roles.
5. Secular structures like law, politics, economy are seen to have more sway over life than religion.
6. In America, new religious movement is on rise due to them feeling alienated due to over materialism. Thus, it sees growth of many new cults.
7. Fundamentalism is in its rise, as certain sections see USA as unnecessary interferer.

Role in India

1. India is a peculiar case of synthesis of religion and value of secularism.
2. India's secularism is not separation of religion from state but signifies respect for all religions and equal treatment.
3. Religion has brought Indians together into a harmony as all religions promote brotherhood. It was required for multi-ethnic country like India.
4. As contrasted to west, USA, fundamentalism is still a novice phenomena in India. It is because of value of assimilation in India.
5. But India faces brunt of communalism which USA does not.
6. Religion holds effective say in political sphere - Different tickets in constituencies are given based on demographics of that area.
7. Religion also has sway over economic sphere in India. Like Manual scavengers are from dalits caste. Weavers are from weaving community, gold jewellers from that community.