True Secularism through Saints

Even though most religions have a Supreme Deity, for worldly problems like health, wealth, progeny etc., it is customary for devotees to pray to Saints for interceding with God for their needs.

In Hinduism (specially in the south), Sri Raghavendra Swamy of Mantralaya is a favourite for granting boons, even though Vaishnavites do not consider him a God, only Vishnu or his incarnation Krishna being considered God.

Among Catholics, there is a patron Saint for every problem & profession. They are prayed to rather than Christ himself. For example, St.Rene Goupil is the patron Saint of anaesthesiologists, appropriately as he had studied surgery.

In Islam, there are many Sufi saints, whose dargahs are approached for boons. Notable among them is the one in Ajmer. It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia hold fast to the Quranic injunction to worship only Allah, & do not permit darghas.

The outstanding feature of these Saints is that people of any religion can pray to them without converting. Hindus can & do pray to Christian Saints & Muslim Saints at dargahs, while remaining Hindu & Muslims can & do pray at Manthralaya while remaining Muslim.