Read the first two paras and prepare two questions on this.The most important aspect of secularism is its separation of religion from State power. This is important for a country to function democratically. Almost all the countries of the world will have more than one religious group living in them. Within these religious groups, there will most likely be one group that is in a majority. If this majority religious group has access to State power, then it could quite easily use its power and financial resources to discriminate against and persecute the persons of other religions. This tyranny of the majority could result in the discrimination, coercion and at times, even the killing of religious minorities. The majority could quite easily prevent minorities from practising their religions. Any form of domination based on religion is in violation of the rights that a democratic society guarantees to each and every citizen, irrespective of their religion. Therefore, the tyranny of the majority and the violation of Fundamental Rights that can result from it is one reason why it is important to separate the State and religion in democratic societies. Another reason that it is important to separate religion from the State in democratic societies is because we also need to protect the freedom of individuals to exit from their religion, embrace another religion or have the freedom to interpret religious teachings differently.