RESPONSES TO SECULARISM

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.

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

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.

NATIONS WITH A STATE RELIGION Currently only Christianity, Islam and

Buddhism are accepted as state religions.

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.

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)

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).

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” vs anti-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

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

NORTHERN IRELAND: THE PROCESS OF PEACE

Catholic Focus – Salt+Light TV

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)

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)

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)

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.