secularism

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

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.

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for secularist

Contemporary Examples of 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

Historical Examples of secularist

The secularist is one in whom the intellect is passionate, and the passions cold.
The Necessity of Atheism
Dr. D.M. Brooks
Some of them were among the Secularist speakers you and I heard at the club in April.
Robert Elsmere
Mrs. Humphry Ward
Is he not a secularist, who has lectured at the Hall of Science?
The Big Bow Mystery
I. Zangwill
Just to the extent that a man knows, he becomes a Secularist.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 8 (of 12)
Robert G. Ingersoll
Above all, there is a need of opening the church doors to the secularist.
English Secularism
George Jacob Holyoake

British Dictionary definitions for secularist

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 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.

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.