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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.

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]]

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>https://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>  

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>[https://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.

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.