secularism

[sek-yuh-luh-riz-uh m]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR secularism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

secular spirit or tendency, especially a system of political or social philosophy that rejects all forms of religious faith and worship.

the view that public education and other matters of civil policy should be conducted without the introduction of a religious element.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of secularism

First recorded in 1850–55; secular + -ism

Related formssec·u·lar·ist, noun, adjectivesec·u·lar·is·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for secularism

Nevertheless, the triumph of West Coast spiritualism over East Coast secularism has civilization-wide implications.
Can Heritage Foundation Posterboy Bono Save the GOP?|James Poulos|March 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For this Muslim-majority nation, secularism was not a momentary reaction to Pakistani brutality.
Bangladesh’s Unfinished War|K. Anis Ahmed|March 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Bennett is genteel, an elite solider, someone who is as comfortable with secularism as he is with his religiosity.
Why I Like Naftali Bennett|Shaul Magid|January 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“We are the last stronghold of secularism and stability in the region,” he said.
Syria’s Assad to West: ‘I Am Tougher Than Gaddafi’|Mike Giglio|November 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST

For the religiously committed, the rise of secularism powerfully facilitated the cause of cooperation among fervent believers.
Why Romney’s Mormonism Has Caused No Backlash Among GOP Faithful|Michael Medved|October 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The aim of Secularism is to promote the moralisation of this world, which Christianity has proved ineffectual to accomplish.
English Secularism|George Jacob Holyoake
Secularism would efface the dirty tints of life which Christianity has prayed over, but not removed.
English Secularism|George Jacob Holyoake
It is the business of Secularism to teach every child; to teach every voter.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 8 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll
Agnosticism, Secularism, Spiritualism, and Altruism had not come into existence.
Christopher Crayon's Recollections|J. Ewing Ritchie
Secularism teaches a man to be generous, and generosity is certainly as good here as it can be anywhere else.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 8 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll

British Dictionary definitions for secularism

secularism

noun

philosophy a doctrine that rejects religion, esp in ethics

the attitude that religion should have no place in civil affairs

the state of being secular

Derived Formssecularist, noun, adjectivesecularistic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for secularism

secularism

"doctrine that morality should be based on the well-being of man in the present life, without regard to religious belief or a hereafter," 1846, from secular + -ism.