Secularism is the basis of modern
civilization and has to be defended against all religious attempts to
undo its achievements. A state is secular to the degree that it
guarantees that reason and science form the frame of reference for
public understanding and interaction, especially for legal and
political proceedings and all other official matters. The individual
freedom to hold and cultivate any irrational worldview or religious
belief is restricted to private life. Secularism gives us the chance
to lead dignified and self-determined lives, develop our capacities,
fulfill our aspirations, and become part of the complex process of
civilization in our time.
In a world where religious fundamentalism is rampant, secularism is an island under siege. I greatly appreciate the courage of the French government in its decision to ban all religious symbols from schools. This was a significant step in pushing back the wave that is rolling over the world since militant Islam raised its head in the Iranian Revolution. Defending its secular identity and reaffirming its commitment to individual liberty, one century after the Constitution of 1905 laid the foundation of the “lay” society, France has set an encouraging example for an uncompromising fight for the achievements of the Enlightenment.
Many supposedly secular states are
still feeding religious monsters. There are state churches, church
privileges, religious courts, and religion-lined public celebrations
of nationalism. Many have settled for secularism as a compromise
formula: instead of creating a protectorate by keeping religion out
of all public and political matters, they invite all religions to
participate. Perverting the idea of the “lay” society into
something absurd, the voice of reason, if it hopes to be heard, is
compelled to masquerade as one religion among many!
If secularism is to survive as the
basis of modern civilization, we have to fight for it without
compromise. There are many challenges.
Sanal Edamaruku, a well-known defender
of secularism and an articulate voice against bigotry and
obscurantism, is the president of Rationalist International and the
Indian Rationalist Association. He edits the internet publication
Rationalist International, which is published in English, French,
German, Spanish, and Finnish.
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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