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Line 1: − The words '''[[atheism|atheist]]''' and '''[[secular]]''' can be easy to confuse, but they have subtly different meanings. An atheist is one who does not believe in a God, and therefore an atheist institution (for example) is one that openly holds the position that there is no God. [[Richard Dawkins]] is an atheist, and the "Out Campaign" is an atheist institution. − Someone who is secular, by contrast, does not display any [[belief]] or [[religion]], regardless of their actual views. A secular institution is one that does not promote religion of any form. The French and [[Public schools in the United States|American public school systems]] are not entirely secular. For example, they promote a tenet of the religions of atheism and [[liberal Christianity]] - namely [[evolution]]. The [[Kitzmiller vs. Dover Area School District|Kitzmiller vs. Dover]] case which focused on the issue [[intelligent design]] being taught in public schools did not take into account the argument that evolution is atheistic/deistic and therefore religious in nature.<ref>http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion</ref><ref>http://www.intelligentdesignnetwork.org/Kitzmiller%27s_error_summary.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.intelligentdesignnetwork.org/Kitzmiller%27s_Error.pdf</ref> See: [[Atheism is a religion]] − − The atheist philosopher of science [[Michael Ruse]] said "Evolution is a religion. This was true of evolution in the beginning, and it is true of evolution still today."<ref>Ruse, M., How evolution became a religion: creationists correct? National Post, pp. B1,B3,B7 May 13, 2000.</ref> In their [[Question evolution! campaign]], [[Creation Ministries International]] asserts that belief in evolution is religious.<ref>[http://creation.com/15-questions 15 questions for evolutionists]</ref> − − Atheism is protected by the [[First Amendment]] as freedom of expression. However, secularism prevents freedom of expression, and can therefore be said to be contrary to the First Amendment. − − Note that many but not all secularists are atheists, and [[vice versa]]. − − ==Examples== − *School prayer: If someone chooses not to participate in [[school prayer]], they might be an atheist. If someone outlaws school prayer for all, they are secular. − *A librarian who does not read any religious text may be an atheist. A librarian who refuses to stock religious texts is likely secular. − *One who disagrees with [[Theism|theistic]] thought on the [[Internet]] is an atheist. One who attempts to suppress it is secular. − − == See also == − *[[Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian]] − − == References == − <references/> − − [[Category:Atheism]] − [[Category:Religion and Politics]] − [[Category:Secularism]]
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