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Line 1: − The term '''secular''' is generally used to mean "worldly, as differentiated from ecclesiastical." The term has changed meaning dramatically over time. Its original definition preserved its Latin meaning - "of an age" - as evinced in the [[Secular Games]], or the [[Carmen Secularae]] ("Song of the Augustan Age") by Horace.+ − − The term may be a euphemism used by [[atheists]], since atheism generally has negative associations in the [[United States]]. Atheism actually isn't secular (common mistake) because in a secular society everyone is considered to be legally equal no matter what they believe in or don't believe in. Atheism is a religious point of view that God(s) do not exist and is therefore not all inclusive. − − The United States was founded as a secular [[republic]], where religious freedom is affirmed in the Constitution and where no special religion is established. However, 'secular' here is ''not'' a synonym for 'atheistic' as secular society includes both Atheists and believers. Moreover, it is impossible to fully separate a legislative or educations system from moral beliefs and its sources, and the Bible overall was the primary foundational single source for America's principles and precepts. − − Hunter Baker in ''The End of Secularism'', distinguishes between pluralism and secularism, and argues that while the latter has rejected religious foundations of traditional morality, yet secularism itself is an ideology based upon certain philosophical foundations, with its own presuppositions. Rather than being the impartial referee it is promoted to be, when this becomes the orthodox ideology of a nation, it works toward censoring that which opposes it, stifling religious life and discourse. − − ==See also== − * [[Opposition to Christianity]] − ==Further reading== − * Emmet Kennedy, "The Tangled History of Secularism," ''Modern Age'' (Winter 2000) Volume 42, Number 1; [http://www.mmisi.org/ma/42_01/kennedy.pdf online edition] − * [http://books.google.com/books?id=FyAF86k-EV0C&dq=Hunter+Baker+in+The+End+of+Secularism,&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=A8mcvr9B5N&sig=C31Mrmu3gGtkLqHw5ZH_jOly6yA&hl=en&ei=TXooS6P5OpXdlAeZv6ycDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBYQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=&f=false Hunter Baker, ''The End of Secularism'' ] − −
Eliminating secularized language w/ permission from Mr. Schlafy
#REDIRECT [[Pagan]]
[[Category:Religion and Politics]]