Changes

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 '''secular''' means non-religious.  Officially, it is defined as "worldly" rather than "ecclesiastical" or church-based.  The connotations of the term have changed over time.<ref>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.</ref>  Today the term has a positive connotation among non-believers in [[God]], but a negative connotation among those who have [[faith]].

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 term "secular" can be used as a [[euphemism]] for [[atheists]], to avoid negative connotations associated with atheism. 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.  

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.  

''See also:'' [[Decline of the atheist movement]]

''See also:'' [[Decline of the atheist movement]]

[[File:Jacques Berlinerblau.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|In 2011, atheist [[Jacques Berlinerblau]] declared: "The Golden Age of [[Secularism]] has passed."<ref>Berlinerblau, Jacques (February 4, 2011).  [http://chronicle.com/blogs/brainstorm/obama-at-the-national-prayer-breakfast-raging-christ-fest-secular-wake/31816 "Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast"].  The Chronicle of Higher Education/Brainstorm blog.  Retrieved on May 29, 2015.</ref>]]

[[File:Jacques Berlinerblau.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|In 2011, atheist [[Jacques Berlinerblau]] declared: "The Golden Age of [[Secularism]] has passed."<ref>Berlinerblau, Jacques (February 4, 2011).  [http://chronicle.com/blogs/brainstorm/obama-at-the-national-prayer-breakfast-raging-christ-fest-secular-wake/31816 "Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast"].  The Chronicle of Higher Education/Brainstorm blog.  Retrieved on May 29, 2015.</ref>]]

[[Eric Kaufmann]], an [[agnosticism|agnostic]] professor whose academic research specialty is how demographic changes affect religion/irreligion and politics, wrote in 2010:  

[[Eric Kaufmann]], an [[agnosticism|agnostic]] professor whose academic research specialty is how demographic changes affect religion/irreligion and politics, wrote in 2010:  

{{cquote|Worldwide, the march of religion can probably only be reversed by a renewed, self-aware secularism. Today, it appears exhausted and lacking in confidence... Secularism's greatest triumphs owe less to science than to popular social movements like nationalism, [[socialism]] and 1960s anarchist-[[liberalism]]. Ironically, secularism's demographic deficit means that it will probably only succeed in the twenty-first century if it can create a secular form of 'religious' enthusiasm.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/uploadsepk/JQR%20Demography.pdf Shall the religious inherit the earth? - Eric Kaufmann]</ref>}}

{{cquote|Worldwide, the march of religion can probably only be reversed by a renewed, self-aware secularism. Today, it appears exhausted and lacking in confidence... Secularism's greatest triumphs owe less to science than to popular social movements like nationalism, [[socialism]] and 1960s anarchist-[[liberalism]]. Ironically, secularism's demographic deficit means that it will probably only succeed in the twenty-first century if it can create a secular form of 'religious' enthusiasm.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/uploadsepk/JQR%20Demography.pdf Shall the religious inherit the earth? - Eric Kaufmann]</ref>}}

In recent years, a number of notable atheists have expressed pessimism about the future of the [[atheist movement]] (see: [[Decline of the atheist movement]]).

In recent years, a number of notable atheists have expressed pessimism about the future of the [[atheist movement]] (see: [[Decline of the atheist movement]]).

== Secular state ==

== Secular state ==

[[Religion]] is not going away any time soon, and science will not destroy it. If anything, it is science that is subject to increasing threats to its authority and social legitimacy.<ref>[http://theweek.com/articles/723456/sorry-scientists-religion-here-stay Sorry, scientists. Religion is here to stay.] by Peter Harrison, The ''Week'', September 12, 2017</ref>}}

[[Religion]] is not going away any time soon, and science will not destroy it. If anything, it is science that is subject to increasing threats to its authority and social legitimacy.<ref>[http://theweek.com/articles/723456/sorry-scientists-religion-here-stay Sorry, scientists. Religion is here to stay.] by Peter Harrison, The ''Week'', September 12, 2017</ref>}}

The Constitution of Bangladesh has been amended to make Islam the state religion.<ref>[https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/culture/raised-voice-secularism-threat ‘I raised my voice because secularism was under threat’]</ref>

The Constitution of [[Bangladesh]] has been amended to make [[Islam]] the state religion.<ref>[https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/culture/raised-voice-secularism-threat ‘I raised my voice because secularism was under threat’]</ref>

==History of Secularism==

==History of Secularism==

The derivation of an ethical code from purely secular "worldly" concerns begins in Ancient Greece with the philosophical study of nature. The Hebrew term for ''nature'' is not found in the Bible.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=LT1V8Xgz1EUC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=hebrew&f=false|author=Leo Strauss|title=Natural Right and History|pate=80}}</ref> Hence, natural law, natural justice, and natural rights are Hellenic in origin. Greek and Roman philosophers, while not atheists, nevertheless built their ethnical philosophy from natural considerations.

The derivation of an ethical code from purely secular "worldly" concerns begins in Ancient Greece with the philosophical study of nature. The Hebrew term for ''nature'' is not found in the Bible.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LT1V8Xgz1EUC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=hebrew&f=false|author=Leo Strauss|title=Natural Right and History|pate=80}}</ref> Hence, natural law, natural justice, and natural rights are Hellenic in origin. Greek and Roman philosophers, while not atheists, nevertheless built their ethnical philosophy from natural considerations.

Christian theologians differed on their assessment of secular thought. [[Tertullian]] asks "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" On the other hand, [[Thomas Aquinas]] championed secular thought and provocatively starts the [[Summa Theologica]] with the question: "Whether, besides philosophy, any further doctrine is required?"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/summa/1001.htm|title=Summa Theologica|author=Thomas Aquinas}}</ref> After Aquinas, a harmony between secular thought and religion was the rule until the 19th century. The notion of secularism being inherently anti-religious becomes the norm after the [[French Revolution]].

Christian theologians differed on their assessment of secular thought. [[Tertullian]] asks "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" On the other hand, [[Thomas Aquinas]] championed secular thought and provocatively starts the [[Summa Theologica]] with the question: "Whether, besides philosophy, any further doctrine is required?"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/summa/1001.htm|title=Summa Theologica|author=Thomas Aquinas}}</ref> After Aquinas, a harmony between secular thought and religion was the rule until the 19th century. The notion of secularism being inherently anti-religious becomes the norm after the [[French Revolution]].

==Further reading==

==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]

* 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'' ]

*  [https://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'' ]

 

== See also ==

== See also ==