Secularism

Some people want to keep religion and government apart.

This is called secularism. It means the state does not pick one religion.

This helps people of all faiths live together. It also helps people who have no religion. The government uses laws to help everyone.

Different lands do this in different ways. Some lands have very strict rules. Other lands are more helpful to religious groups.

A man named George Holyoake used this word in 1851.

He wanted a way for all people to work together.

It is a way to make sure everyone is treated the same. This idea helps keep peace in many lands.

Secularism is the idea of keeping religion and government apart.

This helps people of all faiths live together. It also helps people with no religion. Many people believe this keeps things fair.

A man named George Holyoake used this word in 1851. He wanted a way for all people to work together. He did not want to fight about religion.

Different lands use secularism in many ways. The French model is very strict. It keeps the state far from all religions. The American model focuses on freedom of belief. India also uses a secular model. It helps many different groups live in peace.

Some people think secularism helps a country grow. Others think it is a way to protect rights. In a secular state, the law is the main rule. This is called state supremacy. The government can make rules for how people act. But it cannot control what people believe. This helps protect freedom of thought for everyone.

Secularism is a principle about how humans run their affairs. It suggests that decisions should be based on the natural world. This means keeping religion separate from the state and civil life. Some people use it to mean removing religion from public spaces. Others use it as a way to be neutral about all faiths. It can be a way to focus on material needs. This way of thinking is sometimes called naturalism.

There are many different ways secularism works in society. One way is called political secularism, which regulates religion through the state. The French model is a very strict version called laique. It keeps the state firmly distanced from all religious convictions. A more humanistic form focuses on evidence-based policy and human welfare. Another version is called the liberal or pillarized model. In these places, the state might even give money to religious groups. However, it must treat all groups equally.

Secularism has a long and interesting history. Its roots can be found in the ancient world and the Bible. In Ancient Greece, religion was common but not part of governing. During the medieval period, religious and secular entities lived side by side. Many thinkers helped shape these ideas over many centuries. These include people like St. Augustine and John Locke. In 1636, Roger Williams founded a settlement with total religious freedom. This was in what is now Rhode Island.

Specific dates and names help us understand how the term grew. A British writer named George Holyoake coined the word in 1851. He wanted a term that was not as harsh as atheism. He hoped it would help believers and non-believers work together. In 1905, France made its strict separation a law. In 1923, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk used secularism to modernize Turkey. India also became a secular state after gaining independence in 1947. Mahatma Gandhi supported this to help people of many faiths live together.

Secularism connects to many ideas about fairness and law. It often promotes legal equality for everyone regardless of belief. This includes the idea of the separation of church and state. One principle is state supremacy, which means following the rule of law. Another is internal constraint, which stops the government from controlling personal lives. Secularism supports freedom of thought and religious tolerance. It also supports the idea of freedom from religion. This helps protect the rights of all citizens in a diverse world.

Secularism is a principle used to conduct human affairs based on naturalistic considerations. It seeks to keep religion uninvolved with civil affairs and the state. This concept can be broad or narrow in its application. Some use it to minimize religion in the public sphere. Others use it to maintain neutrality toward all religious views. When used as a philosophy, it is often called naturalism. Naturalism focuses on the material world and temporal concerns.

Political secularism involves the regulation of religion by a secular state. This system promotes legal equality for all people regardless of their faith. It often relies on the separation of church and state. This means treating religious and civil entities as two distinct things. One key principle is state supremacy. This means the rule of law is followed over religious canon law. Another principle is internal constraint. This prevents the government from controlling a person's private life. Secularism also supports freedom of thought and religious tolerance.

There are several distinct models of political secularism in practice. The French model is known as laïcité. This is a very strict form of secularism. It requires the state to be officially distanced from all religions. It also distances the state from all non-religious philosophical convictions. A second version is a more humanistic form. This model is indifferent to specific religions. Instead, it focuses on evidence-based policy and human welfare. It aims to prevent discrimination against any group.

A third version is the liberal or "pillarized" model. This is common in German-speaking and Benelux secular states. In these countries, the government may show sympathy to religions. They might even provide funding or licenses to religious groups. However, the state must treat all convictions equally. It cannot be hostile or preferential to any specific group. For example, secular humanist organizations may receive state funding. They receive it using the same formulas used for religious groups.

The history of secularism is long and complex. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient world. In Ancient Greece, religion was prevalent but not involved in governance. The concept also has roots in the Bible and Christian history. During the medieval period, secular and religious entities coexisted. Many theologians and writers shaped these early ideas. These thinkers included St. Augustine, William of Ockham, and John Locke. In 1636, Roger Williams founded the Providence Plantations. This settlement offered total freedom of religion.

Modern terminology for the concept arrived in the 19th century. A British writer named George Holyoake coined the term in 1851. He wanted a word that was less aggravating than "atheism." He hoped to find a term that allowed cooperation with believers. His definition was broader than modern uses. Today, secularism often refers to the separation of church and state. In 1905, France enshrined the principle of laïcité into law. In 1923, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk adopted secularism as a state ideology in Turkey. This was part of a plan to modernize the country.

India provides another significant example of secularism. India became a secular state after gaining independence in 1947. Mahatma Gandhi supported a pluralist version of secularism. He believed it could help manage tensions in a diverse nation. The Indian model emphasizes equality of citizens before the law. Some critics in India use the term "pseudo-secularism." They use this to describe policies they believe favor one religion over others. This shows how difficult it can be to balance different faiths.

Secularism relates to many broader global themes and debates. It is often linked to the growth of democracy. By protecting religious minorities, it can ensure full inclusion for all citizens. However, it is a Western concept that is not universal. Experiences of secularism vary across different cultures and times. Some scholars now discuss "post-secular" models. These models address growing religious influences that challenge old assumptions. Secularism continues to be a major topic in discussions about law and human rights.