Do you think that secularism is the best social and political system we can hope for?
I’ve technically already touched on this a little bit in a previous question. But I thought I’d touch on this specific issue more directly, in order to hear more viewpoints on this.
Just to clarify however (as there was a bit of confusion about this the last time I discussed secularism). I define secularism as a society that abstains from having a state or national religion. Also a society that maintains separation of state and church. Providing that religious practices to not breach civil law or infringe the rights of any citizens of the state or nation.
So to phrase my question in another way. Is a secular society, the best society?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
7 Answers
Secularism is only the reason why mainstream christianity is not as vile in practice as islam is currently.
Secularism is the reason why the “western nations” are as “enlightened” (relatively speaking) as they are.
Without secularism, the western world would be just like the middle east, except wetter.
^^ I agree with loli. There is no question about this in my mind, but I can understand the OP’s revisitation of the subject in light of Church meddling in the private affairs of the Irish people for the past 1,500 years since the days of Palladius and Patrick. That could take some getting over.
Thanks folks, I agree with you both ^^
You would think so, but you certainly can’t look at our own mess for vindication on the triumph of rational secularism
@stanleybmanly Thats a fair point. But what do you suggest as a reasonable alternative?
Rational secularism is the only thing that makes sense. And to be fair, our system does seek to move in that direction. Despite claims to the contrary, it is rather clear that the men who set this place up had exactly that idea in mind. We should remember this the next time some born again fanatic raises sanctimonious objections equating secular humanism with prostitution and pedophilia.
Secularism is neither a social nor political system. It may be an element of such systems, but it is not a system in and of itself. This is an important distinction, and failing to observe it plays right into the hands of anti-secularists who seek to characterize secularism as a replacement for life as we know it rather than the foundational element that it already is in so many societies (even if it is not always perfectly observed).
Answer this question 
Composing members:
0
