secularism

American  

[sek-yuh-luh-riz-uhm] / ˈsɛk yə ləˌrɪz əm /

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.

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secularism British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• secularist noun
• secularistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of secularism

First recorded in 1850–55; secular + -ism

Example Sentences

The demolition provoked the worst religious violence in India for many decades - it was, he said years later, the "gravest setback" to secularism since the country's independence from Britain in 1947.

From BBC

“This rise in popularity correlates with increasing secularism and nationalism.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Pope John XXIII’s goal was to promote evangelism, not to accept secularism.

From The Wall Street Journal

Jean-François Roberge, the minister responsible for secularism, said in French at a news conference on Thursday that the bill was "part of an approach that respected individual as well as collective rights".

From BBC

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".

From BBC

Related Words

• blasphemy
• fallacy