No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeOpinionOp-edWhy we're marching for a secular state

Why we’re marching for a secular state

Yo sí quiero un estado laico (I do want a secular state) is a collective that deeply believes that religion and the state should be separated so that the decisions made in the country as administered and executed only by the state – a state that guarantees human rights for all without the intervention of fundamentalist groups and the Catholic church.

Why? In order to ensure diversity of creed, religion, culture, ethnic groups, sexual orientation and identity, and many more that manifest themselves within this society.

When we say “secular,” we’re not talking about atheism or an anti-religious state, nor do we disrespect the freedom of worship. We don’t seek to deny God or any religion. We see in secularity the power to defend the freedom to choose over our bodies, education and much more.

Estado Laico
Courtesy of Yo sí quiero un Estado Laico Costa Rica

A secular state would allow us to curtail hate speech from political parties that bring religion into the political decisions – parties that impede access to human rights, sex education, women’s right to decide over their bodies, transgender people’s right to have the name they choose, and the right to same-sex marriage.

Estado Laico
Courtesy of Yo sí quiero un Estado Laico Costa Rica

We also raise our voices to point out the importance of sex education in the country, which deals with the topics of sexual diversity, the right to decide, and violence towards women. We use this as a medium for young people to create a more equal society to reduce violence towards women, femicide, homo-lesbo-bi-trans phobia, and other forms of violence.

At the same time, we denounce the fundamentalist groups that dangerously speak in name of God to attain political power, promote hatred and impede access to secular and scientific education.

For this reason, this Saturday, Jan. 20, at 12:00 pm, we invite all those who believe in the separation of church and state to march with us. The activity will begin at the Parque Central and end outside of the Legislative Assembly.

https://www.facebook.com/estadolaicoCR/videos/1648759538538960/

Yo si quiero un estado laico Costa Rica is a Costa Rican collective that seeks a secular state in which religion is separated from the government. The author of the piece is one of the collective’s spokespeople. For more information visit the collective’s Facebook page or go to the march’s Facebook event page.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Top Court Bans President Chaves from 2026 Election Campaign

Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Thursday barred President Rodrigo Chaves from participating in the 2026 election campaign, ruling that he "illegitimately used" his...

Costa Rica and Panama Seek Gold Cup Glory Against North American Giants

With no Caribbean teams advancing, a Central American contingent made up of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala heads into the quarterfinals of the...

Retired Nicaraguan Army Captain Sentenced to 50 Years for Treason

A retired military officer was sentenced to 50 years in prison in Nicaragua for the crime of "treason against the homeland," his family denounced...

Celso Gamboa Allegedly Ran Drug Ring with Costa Rican Government Ties

Celso Gamboa, once Costa Rica’s Security Minister and a Supreme Court judge, now faces extradition to the U.S. for leading a major cocaine trafficking...

Costa Rica to Launch Electric Air Taxis for Sustainable Travel in Guanacaste

Costa Rica is poised to revolutionize its transportation landscape with the introduction of electric air taxis, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional ground travel...

Why Costa Rica Feels Like a Safe Haven for This Longtime Expat

If someone asked me to sum up why I live in Costa Rica in 5 words or less, my answer could well be: “It...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica