Secularism

Secularism
Basic Information
Alignments	Atheists Non-Quandrant
Ideological Influences
Influenced by	Laicism
Influenced	Secular Liberalism Atheist Progressivism Atheist Conservatism Secular Leftism Atheist Feminism

Secularism is the principle of seeking to conduct human affairs based on secular, naturalistic considerations. Secularism is most commonly defined as the separation of religion from civic affairs and the state, and may be broadened to a similar position seeking to remove or to minimize the role of religion in any public sphere. The term "secularism has a broad range of meanings, and in the most schematic, may encapsulate any stance that promotes the secular in any given context. Secularism is opposed to both state atheism and theocratic rule, since it regards people's rights to practice their religious beliefs freely, both of these governmental systems are opposed to secularism since they try to force beliefs onto people.

History

Anglo-American Secularism

Secularism in the Anglo-American sense finds it's roots within the Colonial era of America where in 1636 Roger Williams established a Settlement in Rhode Island which permitted total religious freedom. This along with the later enlightenment philosopher's such as John Locke would go on to heavily influence the founding father of the United States.

Who enshrined within the first amendment of the constitution the foundations of American secularism with what is known as the establishment clause which states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This established the primary purpose of American Secularism which was not the total exclusion of religion from government as in French secularism but rather the inclusion of all religion's in government. In order to ensure that no one religion is discriminated against and no one religion is given too much power.

Relationships

Friends

• Laicism - Religion needs to get out of government. Although, you're a tad too auth for me.
• Civil Libertarianism - We both support self-expression and allowing people to worship whoever they want.
• Secular Liberalism - A liberal that supports me!
• Atheist Progressivism - A progressive who supports me!
• Atheist Conservatism - A conservative who supports me!
• Secular Leftism - A left-winger who supports me!
• Atheist Feminism - A feminist who supports me!

Frienemies

• Confessionalism - At least you respect other faiths and people's right to not practice such? Although, many of the countries with established religions only have it for cultural reasons.

Enemies

• State Atheism - Let people have their faiths!
• Theocratism - Let people have their disbeliefs!