secularism

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

/ ˈsɛk yə ləˌrɪz əm /

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.

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 secularist

Moussa, a liberal and a secularist, is the current frontrunner, but he is struggling to shed his ties to the former regime.
Confusion Surrounds Egypt’s Presidential Elections, Set for May 23|Ursula Lindsey|May 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The secularist is one in whom the intellect is passionate, and the passions cold.
The Necessity of Atheism|Dr. D.M. Brooks
Is there not something here that should arrest the attention and awaken the anxiety even of the Secularist himself?
Modern Atheism under its forms of Pantheism, Materialism, Secularism, Development, and Natural Laws|James Buchanan
The Secularist has a creed as definite as science, and as flexible as progress, increasing as the horizon of truth is enlarged.
English Secularism|George Jacob Holyoake

Surely a secularist can have no claim as such on the sympathies of a Christian minister.
The Religious Life of London|J. Ewing Ritchie
One of her chief friends was a secularist cobbler who lived under the very shadow of the church.
The Testing of Diana Mallory|Mrs. Humphry Ward

British Dictionary definitions for secularist

secularism

/ (ˈsɛkjʊləˌrɪzəm) /

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 secularist (1 of 2)

secularist

1846, "one who theoretically rejects and ignores all forms of religion based on revelation;" see secularism + -ist. From 1851 as "one who maintains that public education and civil policy should be conducted without the introduction of a religious element." Related: Secularistic.

Word Origin and History for secularist (1 of 2)

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.