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
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 campaigners said the shift should trigger a rethink of the way religion is entrenched in British society.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 29, 2022
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 has replaced Catholicism in Quebec more than in any other province, and Dr. Andraos said that the Catholic church is almost now extinct in rural parts of the province.
From New York Times • Jul. 29, 2022
Secularism is a governing policy in which the state regulates the relationship between itself and its religious citizens, and also between religious citizens.
From Salon • Feb. 12, 2022
Hence Secularism, though inevitable as the next stage of militant progress, more slowly wins adherents and appreciation.
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.
