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secularism

SEK-yuh-luh-riz-um /ˈsɛkjʊlərɪzəm/

nounC1GREUPSCIELTS

academicpolitical

The principle of separating government, education, and public policy from religious institutions and doctrines.

Focuses on state neutrality and equal treatment of citizens regardless of their religious or non-religious status.

The story behind the word. The term was coined in 1851 by British writer George Jacob Holyoake. He invented it to describe an ethical social order grounded in reason and human experience without promoting active anti-religious sentiment.

Word relationships

separation of church and state: Separation of church and state is a legal doctrine, while secularism is a broader social and political philosophy.

theocracy: A government ruled by religious authority or divine guidance.

Commonly confused with

atheism: Secularism is a framework for governance; atheism is a personal stance regarding gods.

Word family

secular (adjective): Not connected with religious or spiritual matters.
secularist (noun): An advocate for secular principles in civic life.

Collocations

principle of secularism
assertive secularism
secularism in practice
defender of secularism

Example sentences

"Indian secularism emphasizes state neutrality and equal respect for all religions rather than strict separation." Political theory
"The principle of secularism ensures that laws are passed based on public reason rather than religious dogma." Constitutional law

Memory hook

SECULARISM = SECURE ALL citizens in a public sphere free from religious bias. Neutral ground for governance.

When not to use

Avoid equating secularism with state atheism; secularism protects freedom of religion alongside freedom from religion.

Fun facts

George Jacob Holyoake coined 'secularism' precisely to avoid the aggressive connotations of the word 'atheism' in Victorian England.