Changes

*2. The view that [[education]], or the education provided at the [[public]] cost, should be purely secular.

*2. The view that [[education]], or the education provided at the [[public]] cost, should be purely secular.

===Chronologic Samples===

===Chronologic Samples===

*1851 G. J. HOLYOAKE in Reasoner 10 Dec., I will lay before the meeting the present position of Secularism in the provinces.  

*1851 G. J. HOLYOAKE in Reasoner 10 Dec., I will lay before the meeting the present position of Secularism in the provinces.  

*1854  (title) Secularism the practical Philosophy of the People. Ibid. 5 The term Secularism has been chosen..as expressing a certain positive and ethical element, which the terms ‘Infidel’, ‘Sceptic’, ‘Atheist’ do not express.  

*1854  (title) Secularism the practical Philosophy of the People. Ibid. 5 The term Secularism has been chosen..as expressing a certain positive and ethical element, which the terms ‘Infidel’, ‘Sceptic’, ‘Atheist’ do not express.  

The purposes and arguments in support of secularism vary widely. In European laicism, it has been argued that secularism is a movement toward modernization, and away from [[tradition]]al religious [[values]]. This type of secularism, on a social or philosophical level, has often occurred while maintaining an official state church or other state support of [[religion]]. In the United States, some argue that state secularism has served to a greater extent to protect religion from governmental interference, while secularism on a social level is less prevalent.[2][3] Within countries as well, differing political [[movements]] support secularism for varying reasons.[4]

The purposes and arguments in support of secularism vary widely. In European laicism, it has been argued that secularism is a movement toward modernization, and away from [[tradition]]al religious [[values]]. This type of secularism, on a social or philosophical level, has often occurred while maintaining an official state church or other state support of [[religion]]. In the United States, some argue that state secularism has served to a greater extent to protect religion from governmental interference, while secularism on a social level is less prevalent.[2][3] Within countries as well, differing political [[movements]] support secularism for varying reasons.[4]

The term "secularism" was first used by the British writer George Holyoake in 1851.[5] Although the term was new, the general notions of [[freethought]] on which it was based had existed throughout [[history]]. In particular, early secular ideas involving the separation of [[philosophy]] and [[religion]] can be traced back to Ibn Rushd (Averroes) and the Averroism school of philosophy.[6][7] Holyoake invented the term "secularism" to describe his views of promoting a social order separate from religion, without actively dismissing or criticizing religious belief. An agnostic himself, Holyoake argued that "Secularism is not an argument against [[Christianity]], it is one independent of it. It does not question the pretensions of Christianity; it advances others. Secularism does not say there is no [[light]] or guidance elsewhere, but maintains that there is light and guidance in secular [[truth]], whose conditions and sanctions exist independently, and act forever. Secular [[knowledge]] is manifestly that kind of knowledge which is founded in this life, which relates to the conduct of this life, conduces to the welfare of this life, and is capable of being tested by the [[experience]] of this life."[8]

The term "secularism" was first used by the British writer George Holyoake in 1851.[5] Although the term was new, the general notions of [https://www.urantia.org/cgi-bin/webglimpse/mfs/usr/local/www/data/papers?link=https://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper103.html&file=/usr/local/www/data/papers/paper103.html&line=111#mfs freethought] on which it was based had existed throughout [[history]]. In particular, early secular ideas involving the separation of [[philosophy]] and [[religion]] can be traced back to Ibn Rushd (Averroes) and the Averroism school of philosophy.[6][7] Holyoake invented the term "secularism" to describe his views of promoting a social order separate from religion, without actively dismissing or criticizing religious belief. An agnostic himself, Holyoake argued that "Secularism is not an argument against [[Christianity]], it is one independent of it. It does not question the pretensions of Christianity; it advances others. Secularism does not say there is no [[light]] or guidance elsewhere, but maintains that there is light and guidance in secular [[truth]], whose conditions and sanctions exist independently, and act forever. Secular [[knowledge]] is manifestly that kind of knowledge which is founded in this life, which relates to the conduct of this life, conduces to the welfare of this life, and is capable of being tested by the [[experience]] of this life."[8]

Barry Kosmin of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_for_the_Study_of_Secularism_in_Society_and_Culture Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture] breaks modern secularism into two types: hard and soft secularism. According to Kosmin, "the hard secularist considers religious propositions to be epistemologically illegitimate, warranted by neither [[reason]] nor [[experience]]." However, in the view of soft secularism, "the attainment of [[absolute]] [[truth]] was impossible and therefore skepticism and tolerance should be the principle and overriding values in the discussion of [[science]] and [[religion]]."[9]

Barry Kosmin of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_for_the_Study_of_Secularism_in_Society_and_Culture Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture] breaks modern secularism into two types: hard and soft secularism. According to Kosmin, "the hard secularist considers religious propositions to be epistemologically illegitimate, warranted by neither [[reason]] nor [[experience]]." However, in the view of soft secularism, "the attainment of [[absolute]] [[truth]] was impossible and therefore skepticism and tolerance should be the principle and overriding values in the discussion of [[science]] and [[religion]]."[9]

In [[political]] terms, secularism is a movement towards the separation of [[religion]] and government (often termed the separation of church and state). This can refer to reducing ties between a government and a state religion, replacing [[law]]s based on [[scripture]] (such as the Torah and Sharia law) with civil laws, and eliminating discrimination on the basis of religion. This is said to add to democracy by protecting the rights of religious minorities.[10]

In [[political]] terms, secularism is a movement towards the separation of [[religion]] and government (often termed the separation of church and state). This can refer to reducing ties between a government and a state religion, replacing [[law]]s based on [[scripture]] (such as the Torah and Sharia law) with civil laws, and eliminating discrimination on the basis of religion. This is said to add to democracy by protecting the rights of religious minorities.[10]

Secularism is often associated with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment Age of Enlightenment] in Europe, and plays a major role in Western society. The principles, but not necessarily practices, of separation of church and state in the United States and Laïcité in France draw heavily on secularism. Secular states also existed in the Islamic world during the later Middle Ages.[11]

Secularism is often associated with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment Age of Enlightenment] in Europe, and plays a major role in Western society. The principles, but not necessarily practices, of separation of church and state in the United States and Laïcité in France draw heavily on secularism. Secular states also existed in the Islamic world during the later Middle Ages.[11]

Due in part to the belief in the separation of church and state, secularists tend to prefer that politicians make decisions for secular rather than religious reasons.[12] In this respect, policy decisions pertaining to topics like abortion, embryonic stem cell research, same-sex marriage, and sex education are prominently [[focus]]ed upon by American secularist organizations such as the Center for Inquiry.[13][14]

Due in part to the belief in the separation of church and state, secularists tend to prefer that politicians make decisions for secular rather than religious reasons.[12] In this respect, policy decisions pertaining to topics like abortion, embryonic stem cell research, same-sex marriage, and sex education are prominently [[focus]]ed upon by American secularist organizations such as the Center for Inquiry.[13][14]

Most major religions accept the primacy of the rules of secular, democratic society but may still seek to influence political decisions or achieve specific privileges or influence through church-state agreements such as a concordat. Many Christians support a secular state, and may acknowledge that the conception has support in biblical teachings, particularly Jesus' statement, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."[15]. However, some Christian fundamentalists (notably in the United States) oppose secularism, often claiming that there is a "radical secularism" [[ideology]] being adopted in current days and see secularism as a threat to "Christian rights"[16] and national security.[17] The most significant forces of religious fundamentalism in the contemporary world are Fundamentalist Christianity and fundamentalist Islam. At the same time, one significant stream of secularism has come from religious minorities who see governmental and political secularism as integral to preserving equal rights.[18]

Most major religions accept the primacy of the rules of secular, democratic society but may still seek to influence political decisions or achieve specific privileges or influence through church-state agreements such as a concordat. Many Christians support a secular state, and may acknowledge that the conception has support in biblical teachings, particularly Jesus' statement, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."[15]. However, some Christian fundamentalists (notably in the United States) oppose secularism, often claiming that there is a "radical secularism" [[ideology]] being adopted in current days and see secularism as a threat to "Christian rights"[16] and national security.[17] The most significant forces of religious fundamentalism in the contemporary world are Fundamentalist Christianity and fundamentalist Islam. At the same time, one significant stream of secularism has come from religious minorities who see governmental and political secularism as integral to preserving equal rights.[18]

Some societies become increasingly secular as the result of social processes, rather than through the actions of a dedicated secular movement; this [[process]] is known as ''secularization''.

Some societies become increasingly secular as the result of social processes, rather than through the actions of a dedicated secular movement; this [[process]] is known as ''secularization''.

[edit]Secular ethics

[edit]Secular ethics

==References==

==References==

===Notes===

===Notes===

*Urban, Greg (2008). "The circulation of secularism." International Journal of Politics, Culture and Society, Vol. 21, (1-4), December. pp.17-37. [2]

*Urban, Greg (2008). "The circulation of secularism." International Journal of Politics, Culture and Society, Vol. 21, (1-4), December. pp.17-37. [2]

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/religion/blrel_sec.htm?terms=go Secularism 101: Religion, Society, and Politics]

* [https://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/religion/blrel_sec.htm?terms=go Secularism 101: Religion, Society, and Politics]

* [http://www.secularsites.freeuk.com SecularSites]

* [https://www.secularsites.freeuk.com SecularSites]

* [http://www.trincoll.edu/secularisminstitute/ Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture]

* [https://www.trincoll.edu/secularisminstitute/ Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture]

* [http://www.secularstudents.org The Secular Student Alliance]

* [https://www.secularstudents.org The Secular Student Alliance]

* [http://www.ssrc.org/blogs/immanent_frame/ SSRC Blog on Secularism, Religion, and the Public Sphere]

* [https://www.ssrc.org/blogs/immanent_frame/ SSRC Blog on Secularism, Religion, and the Public Sphere]

* [http://www.secularism.org.uk/ National Secular Society (UK)]

* [https://www.secularism.org.uk/ National Secular Society (UK)]

[[Category: Law]]

[[Category: Law]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]