Secularism

Secularism is the idea of running society based on everyday, natural thoughts and actions, without involving religion. It is most often known as keeping religion separate from government and public matters. This can mean making sure that religion does not play a big role in schools, laws, or other places where everyone comes together.

Secularism can include many different beliefs, such as not favoring any particular religion, staying neutral about religion, or even not believing in any religion at all. It is not about fighting against religion, but about making sure it does not control public life. Some people think secularism is important for modern societies, while others see it as a way to protect freedom for all beliefs.

Different countries have different ways of practicing secularism. For example, America focuses on not having one official religion and allowing people to choose their own beliefs. France has a more active approach, where the government plays a role in keeping religion out of public matters. These different models show how secularism can mean many things depending on the place and its history.

Variations

Secularism means different things to different people about how religion and society should be separate. Both people who follow a religion and those who do not can support a secular society, but it is often linked with people who do not follow any religion. Political secularism looks at how governments handle religion. Some groups, like religious minorities and people with no religion, usually support political secularism, while others who follow the main religion in a country might not.

Scholars talk about different kinds of political secularism. One strict type, like in France, wants the government to stay completely away from all religions and ideas that are not based on religion. Another type focuses on using evidence and helping people, treating everyone fairly no matter what they believe. A third type allows some special treatment for religions, as long as all are treated the same, like in some Benelux countries.

All types of political secularism believe in equal laws for everyone, no matter their religion. They also believe the government and religious groups should stay separate. Secularism supports following the law instead of religious rules, letting people believe what they want, and keeping peace in society. It values thinking and reason, and supports freedom from religion just as it supports freedom to practice religion.

Diversity

The idea of "secular" comes from Western ways of thinking and isn’t the same everywhere. Different places and times have different views on what secularism means. Even some people who don’t follow a religion might still hold religious beliefs or take part in religious activities.

History

Secularism is an idea that comes from Western culture and started in Britain in 1851. In places like Ancient Greece, people did not let religion control their government, even though religion was still important in daily life.

The idea of secularism grew from Christian history. Important Christian thinkers like St. Augustine, William of Ockham, Marsilius of Padua, Martin Luther, Roger Williams, John Locke, and Talleyrand helped shape its principles. In Europe, secularism became a big idea during the early modern time. In 1636, Roger Williams created a place called Providence Plantations in Rhode Island where people could follow any religion they wanted.

Later, writers like George Holyoake in 1851 used the word "secularism" to mean living life based on natural ideas instead of religious ones. Many countries, including Turkey and India, became more secular in the 20th century, separating religion from government decisions.

State secularism

Main articles: Secular state and Separation of church and state

In politics, secularism means keeping religion and government separate. This idea helps make sure that everyone, no matter what they believe, is treated fairly. It can mean stopping a government from having an official religion, using laws that are not based on religious teachings, and making sure no one is treated unfairly because of their religion. This helps protect the rights of people who follow different religions or no religion at all.

Secularism is often linked to ideas from the Age of Enlightenment in Europe and is important in many Western countries. Examples of countries that practice some form of secularism include the United States, France, Turkey, India, Mexico, and South Korea. Each country has its own way of handling the relationship between religion and government. Some countries strictly separate the two, while others allow more involvement.

Secular society

In studies of religion, modern democracies are usually seen as secular. This means people are mostly free to practice any religion they choose, and religious leaders do not control government decisions. Surveys by the Pew Research Center suggest that many Americans feel comfortable with religion having a big role in public life, while in Europe, churches have less influence on daily affairs.

Societies often become more secular as they develop economically and socially, not just because of organized efforts. Experts have long studied how authority works in societies where religion has less control. Today, many discussions about right and wrong in Western countries happen without religious ideas. Many well-known thinkers have helped us understand these changes.

Secularism means different things to different people, and it is often linked with ideas about progress and fairness. In democratic countries, people who are more educated and from certain backgrounds are more likely to support secular ideas. In places like Western Europe, secular views are more common across different groups. Sometimes, beliefs that seem spiritual become part of everyday life without being seen as strictly religious. Because secular views are not always the majority, some people feel they are judged. Others argue that a secular society needs new ways to encourage good behavior.

Secular philosophy

Secularism is a way of thinking that focuses on the world around us, without needing to involve religion. It is often linked to ideas about nature and what we can see and touch, rather than things that cannot be proven, like magic or spirits. Many smart people from long ago, like Baruch Spinoza and John Locke, talked about keeping religion separate from government.

Today, people who study what is right and wrong often look at these ideas without using religion as a guide. They think about what helps people live better lives together. Some modern thinkers, like John Rawls, suggest that everyone, no matter what they believe, should agree on basic rules that help society work fairly for all.