What does secularism mean?

Definition and Etymology

Secularism is a term generally used to describe a worldview or social system that places emphasis on human reasoning, empirical evidence, and societal constructs, often without explicit reference to God or the divine. The word “secular” descends from the Latin saeculum, meaning “of this age” or “of this world,” highlighting an orientation toward the temporal realm rather than the spiritual.

Secularism is typically characterized by the pursuit of progress, knowledge, and governance through human faculties alone. It does not necessarily seek to deny the possibility of the supernatural outright, but it deliberately chooses to exclude direct reliance on religious or biblical guidance for public life and decision-making.

Historical Emergence

Secular thought as a formal notion gained traction in certain philosophical settings of the Enlightenment era (17th–18th centuries). Influential thinkers promoted reason as the primary source of authority and legitimacy, challenging the then-prevalent belief in divine revelation and ecclesiastical tradition as the foundation for ethical and civic decision-making.

Subsequent movements in Europe and North America led to the development of societies in which institutions, particularly state governments, attempted official neutrality or separation from religious influence. This pattern contributed to the notion that religion should remain personal or private, often isolating faith matters from public discourse.

Key Tenets of Secularism

1. Reliance on Human Reason: Secularism emphasizes rationalism and human-derived knowledge. It commonly insists that decisions in public spheres—such as law, education, and politics—be based on empirical or philosophical reasoning rather than religious teachings.

2. Individual Autonomy: A secular worldview often promotes the idea that individuals have the authority to determine moral and ethical standards without needing to reference or submit to religious texts. This is sometimes classified as moral relativism, though not all secular advocates take a strictly relativistic stance.

3. Concept of Neutrality: The secular approach asserts neutrality in civic matters, seeking to prevent any single religious perspective from dominating cultural or governmental frameworks. In practice, however, this can result in a public arena shaped primarily by non-religious assumptions.

Philosophical Foundations

Early proponents of secularism—such as certain deist and rationalist philosophers—argued for the sufficiency of human logic. Figures like Voltaire promoted a critique of institutional religion while defending freedom of speech. Later, thinkers like Auguste Comte emphasized scientism, the idea that scientific inquiry alone provides the exhaustive explanation for reality.

These strands of thought contributed to a climate in which faith-based interpretations of morality, creation, or purpose were increasingly relegated to the private sphere. Over time, higher biblical criticism also played a role in an academic environment more open to secular or purely naturalistic explanations for human origins and history.

Contrasts with Biblical Teachings

While secularism focuses on earthly life and human ways of thinking, Scripture emphasizes dependence on God’s revelation for understanding truth and morality. The Bible declares:

• “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7)

This passage exhorts believers to see genuine wisdom as originating with God.

Moreover, Romans 12:2 teaches:

• “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

This call to be transformed implies that believers ought to think and act differently from worldly philosophies.

Because secularism typically de-emphasizes or excludes revelations from the divine, tension arises between a worldview guided primarily by human intellect and one shaped by the revealed Word of God.

Influence in Modern Society

1. Education and Public Institutions: In many regions, secular philosophies govern the standard curriculum in schools, resulting in teaching that may exclude reference to God, creation, or biblical moral foundations. As a result, students are sometimes introduced only to naturalistic explanations of origins, ethics, and purpose.

2. Culture and Media: Popular culture often promotes themes resonant with secular values, such as the exaltation of personal autonomy or material success. Traditional moral or religious perspectives, especially biblical teachings, may be marginalized or critiqued.

3. Moral and Ethical Debates: Public debates on moral issues—such as bioethics, life, and human sexuality—are frequently addressed under a secular framework that appeals to human rights or social consensus, rather than transcendent authority.

Scriptural Perspective on the “World”

In the Bible, the term “world” often refers to earthly systems opposed to God’s reign. Believers are instructed to be in the world but not of it (John 17:14–15). This suggests an engagement that respects civic responsibilities while recognizing that ultimate allegiance belongs to God, not to worldly principles devoid of reverence for Him.

• “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)

Though secularism aims for neutral or purely rational understandings of life, Scripture teaches that righteousness, purpose, and genuine understanding flow from acknowledging the Creator. When secularism moves beyond neutrality to exclude or contradict the authority of God’s Word, it can become an intellectual system that overlooks eternal truths.

Practical Considerations for Believers

1. Discernment: When encountering secular ideologies, believers are encouraged to “test everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) through the lens of Scriptural truth.

2. Engagement: Christians can participate in public institutions, cultural conversations, and academic endeavors without compromising faith, offering reasoned perspectives shaped by a biblical worldview.

3. Witness: A respectful yet confident testimony in environments shaped by secular assumptions may open opportunities to share truth about God’s existence, Christ’s resurrection, and humanity’s ultimate need for redemption.

Selected Historical and Cultural Examples

• John Locke’s Influence: Locke, who wrote extensively on government and human rights, argued from a philosophical and sometimes deistic standpoint. While not a secularist outright, his ideas about government “by the consent of the governed” paved the way for societies that could more easily sideline explicit religious authority.

• Post-Enlightenment Philosophy: The western call for rationalism directed many educational and government spheres away from Scripture. Although some thinkers sought to reconcile faith and reason, the broad current of modernity often accented secular approaches to knowledge and life.

Long-Term Implications

Secularism, if viewed as a complete system, can result in a worldview that sees human life as primarily guided by temporal concerns—potentially leading to moral relativism, spiritual apathy, or a notion that truth is only what can be empirically verified. For individuals, this viewpoint can clash with the biblical teaching of a personal Creator who governs the universe.

Conversely, some secular models simply aim for religious neutrality in public affairs, seeking equitable treatment of differing beliefs while encouraging private freedom of worship. This nuance can cause varied outcomes for religious communities, depending on how secular ideals are interpreted and implemented.

Conclusion

Secularism stands as a worldview placing its foundation on human reasoning and non-religious frameworks. Historically shaped by Enlightenment ideals, it continues to influence modern culture, education, and public discourse. From a biblical perspective, the believer approaches secularism with discernment, seeking always to honor God’s truth and share the hope found in Christ. Ultimately, secularism’s focus on temporal life reveals a counterpoint to Scripture’s call to look beyond the present age and embrace the eternal kingdom of God.