Will secularism survive? Yes, definitely; there is no other alternative. Secularism is the only solution for the evolution of humankind. People will always have the right to practice their faith privately. However, the business of organized religion will be diminished as more and more people break the chains of ignorance, open their minds, and question the validity of religious dogma.
Many of the greatest thinkers and philosophers over thousands of years have pondered the question of how religion and democracy can coexist. Their answers are clear and cannot be misunderstood or even denied. Democracy will rule. Secularism is the foundation of democracy, and the world is on a path to achieving freedom, liberty, and equality for all.
We may be feeling that there has been a
setback in America due to this administration and its backward view
of the issues it faces; however, it will not last. As humanity climbs
the mountain of oppression and ignorance toward the peak of
democracy, there will always be situations in which we have to step
back in order to find the shorter pathway to climb further. This must
not influence us to deviate from achieving the goal.
Secularism is the only way for human beings to find peace and prosperity on this earth. As the world becomes smaller and smaller due to our technological advances, the idea of “my God is better than yours” becomes increasingly preposterous and absurd.
The question of this symposium should
not have been “Will secularism survive?” because the answer is
obvious: it will. But what is the shortest path to a secular,
democratic world? Now there is a question!
Parvin Darabi is the president of the Dr. Homa Darabi Foundation and author of Rage against the Veil.
CFI SUMMIT
OCTOBER 24-27 2013
TACOMA, WASHINGTON
Joint Conference of the Council for Secular Humanism, Center for Inquiry, and Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
The transnational secular humanist magazine
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