secularism
Americannoun
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secular spirit or tendency, especially a system of political or social philosophy that rejects all forms of religious faith and worship.
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the view that public education and other matters of civil policy should be conducted without the introduction of a religious element.
noun
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philosophy a doctrine that rejects religion, esp in ethics
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the attitude that religion should have no place in civil affairs
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the state of being secular
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of secularism
Explanation
Secularism is a way of life and thinking that rejects religion. So if you're into secularism, you're not into God, going to church, praying, or anything holy. Some people dig religion. Other people don't. And it's those people that live a life of secularism, far removed from anything that has to do with God or church. Instead of worrying about heaven or hell, secularism focuses on life as it is on Earth. People who are secularists particularly believe that religious ideas and beliefs should have nothing to do with government affairs or public education.
Vocabulary lists containing secularism
Human Geography - High School
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The Renaissance and Reformation, Lessons 1–2
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Novel Study: I Am Malala
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Secularism is a fundamental value in France’s constitution.
From Seattle Times • May 23, 2024
Orange County resident Waqas Syed is part of the Coalition for Democracy and Secularism in India, whose members organized the protest at the Independence Day celebration.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2022
"Secularism" is a term that has been so relentlessly maligned by its enemies that its meaning is difficult to discern.
From Salon • Jan. 7, 2022
As Joseph Baker, the co-author of the book “American Secularism: Cultural Contours of Nonreligious Belief Systems,” put it: “People are outside of organized religions, but they still have this supernatural interest.”
From New York Times • Oct. 28, 2021
For a future state Secularism proposes the wise use of this, as he who fails in this "duty nearest hand" has no moral fitness for any other.
From English Secularism A Confession Of Belief by Holyoake, George Jacob
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
