Responses to Secularism

1. Responses to Secularism

2. Secularity • Secularity is the state of being separate from religion. • E.g. the government of Canada is secular. • The lines are sometimes blurred between secular and religious activities: • E.g. bathing and eating = secular, however both can be sacramental in some religions. Prayer is usually seen as religious (if it comes from a particular religion), but meditation and spirituality are not necessarily allied to any religion.

3. Examples of secularity • Secular authority: • Police, legal, military (separate from religion – not true in all countries) • Secular education: • Schools not run by religions • Secular states: • Countries that do not favour one religion • Secular music: • Music that is not meant for church use

4. Secularism • Secularism – the belief that religious ideas should not be the basis of politics; religion has no place in public life. • Secularism may be anti-religious or may be ambivalent to it. • Historically, many countries had a state religion.

5. Nations with a state religion • Currently only Christianity, Islam and Buddhism are accepted as state religions.

6. Responses to secularism • The emergence of secularism has led to disillusionment about mainstream religion (religions that are accepted by society and accommodate society in return, eg?) • As mainstream religions are pushed out of public life… • Sects – sects are breakaway groups that are in disagreement with the mainstream religion society (e.g. FLDS). • Note: the term sect in Hinduism does not have these negative connotations – it implies devotion to a particular god.

7. Responses to secularism • Cults – religious groups that are even more in disagreement with society and mainstream religions. • The defining features of the cult worldview are: • submission to leader (money?) • polarized view • conforming to the group, total dependence (e.g. Branch Davidians, Heaven’s Gate)

8. Fundamentalism –movement began in the early 20thc (fundamental=well defined beliefs). • Scholars see this as a response to modern life becoming more complex – cling to tradition and answers – fundamentalism is linked to fear. • In N. America, Christian fundamentalism tends to accompany conservative politics (re: abortion, same sex marriage, militarism) • Fundamentalists have a literal approach to scriptures (e.g. creationism)– very influential in the US (and tends to be Protestant).

9. Extremism – activities (e.g. beliefs, actions) that are out of the ordinary. • How do you define “ordinary” objectively? • extremism is subjective (e.g. pro-social “freedom fighting” vsanti-social terrorism) • label is not accepted by groups, it is applied to them. • Extremist movements almost always reflect power imbalances in society • used both by the dominant power and the marginalized

10. Examples of extremism • There are many examples of extremists – political and religious (all religions, sadly) • Sometimes they are the dominant group (e.g. majority religion attacks minorities) or the smaller group asserting power. • Hindu extremists attacking Muslims, Christians in India • Buddhist extremists attacking Muslims, Christians in Bangladesh • Hamas in Palestine • Irish Republican Army/Orange Order • Tamil Tigers • Many separatists and nationalists throughout history (related to politics, culture, religion, language, rights) • Taliban in Afghanistan • Ku Klux Klan • Army of God

11. Northern Ireland: The Process of Peace Catholic Focus – Salt+Light TV

12. Positive responses to secularism • Canada is a secular state – religion is a personal choice and is not a gov’t responsibility. • Canadians have the right to choose to participate, or not to • This right is entrenched in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) • Fundamental freedoms: • Conscience/religion • Thought, belief, opinion • Equal protection without discrimination (race, origin, colour, religion, sex, age, ability)

13. Positive responses to Secularism • Freedom of religion and separation of church and state are not absolute in Canada • The existence of a god is recognized in important institutions (e.g. national anthem, constitution) • Faith groups are often invited to ceremonially open and close government events • Catholic schools are constitutionally protected in Ontario • Rights and responsibility (TVO video)

14. How is religion protected? • Religious institutions have charitable status • Supreme Court hears cases, upholds the right of religions to govern themselves using their own rules (e.g. same sex marriage) • Laws against hate propaganda • Sabbath observance • Religious dress (provided it does not interfere with safety) • Refusal of medical care is a limitation, and sometimes refusal to serve (e.g. printing services)

15. Islamism • Islamism is a set of ideologies that state that Islam is “as much a political ideology as a religion” • Some Islamists seek to: • Unite all Muslims in a pan-Islamic union • Eliminate non-Muslim influences (often through religious policing and tight enforcement of Sharia) • Bring Islam to its former glory, before Western influence – with combination of religion and gov’t • Starting in the 1970s, some of these organizations were supported by the West • e.g. US supported the Taliban in their conflict with Russia, Israel supported Hamas because they were preferable to other organizations. • Another influence is oil nations (embargos based on US support for Israel) and Saudi funding of Islamism.