secularism

[sek-yuh-luh-riz-uhm]

noun

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

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

secularism

/ ˈsɛkjʊləˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. philosophy a doctrine that rejects religion, esp in ethics

2. the attitude that religion should have no place in civil affairs

3. the state of being secular

Other Word Forms

• secularist noun
• secularistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of secularism¹

First recorded in 1850–55; secular + -ism

Example Sentences

The court said the judgement "was not about secularism in the education system" and made clear that "no one is suggesting that RE should not be provided in schools in Northern Ireland".

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Most importantly, however, the history of “God’s image” cannot stop short in secularism.

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He's also a big believer that "demons" are everywhere, invisibly pulling the strings wherever progressivism or secularism are advanced or protected.

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He recently joined a church run by Doug Wilson, a proud Christian nationalist who argues "secularism is a hollow construct" and should be replaced by a government-run according to the dictates of "evangelical Protestantism."

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Moral panics around secularism and job discrimination "are at the heart of this silent flight", Olivier Esteves, one of the authors of the report France, You Love It But You Leave It, tells the BBC.

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Related Words

• blasphemy 
• fallacy