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

Derived Forms

• ˈsecularist, nounadjective
• ˌsecularˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• secu·lar·ist noun adjective
• secu·lar·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of secularism¹

First recorded in 1850–55; secular + -ism

Example Sentences

As the newly minted nation went about forging a federation of ethnic groups that had little in common apart from their faith, top-down secularism ran up against bottom-up Islamism.

From Time

India’s constitution, which was read aloud at protests against the law across the country, guarantees equality and explicitly enshrines secularism.

From Time

Threats for online reportersRaif Badawi is a prominent blogger known for advocating secularism and a homegrown liberal system of governance in Saudi Arabia.

From Fortune

But the enemy of the new emirs is neither the Jew nor the Christian, it is the godless militant defending secularism.

From The Daily Beast

In a country with a constitution that values secularism, religion is still the prime indicator of morality and goodness.

From The Daily Beast

Nevertheless, the triumph of West Coast spiritualism over East Coast secularism has civilization-wide implications.

From The Daily Beast

The Turkish history of imposed Jacobin Secularism ended up creating virtual segregation against observant Muslims.

From The Daily Beast

He talks about how growing secularism goes hand in hand with the destruction of European culture.

From The Daily Beast

There never was a time when these things would not have been denounced by Secularism as crimes against humanity.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Blomfield talks very freely, in conclusion, about the "fruits" of Christianity and Secularism.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, our party is comparatively small and poor, and Christian laws prevent our holding any trusts for Secularism.

From Project Gutenberg

It is said that a lecturer on Secularism was once asked, Why cant you let the Bible alone, if you dont believe it?

From Project Gutenberg

Secularism, on the contrary, concerns itself with the things of "to-day."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blasphemy
• fallacy