The most dangerous word in the English language is this strange new word
secularism. This word, all by itself, is a threat to the Constitution and the foundations of our democracy. It is a time bomb. A bouncing-betty land-mine. It is an attack, by its very use, on the separation of church and state. And, unsurprisingly, it is also Bill O'Reilly's favorite word.
Let me be clear about this: "secularism" is a real word, but there is no such thing as "secularism" in the sense that Mr. O'Reilly uses it. If you force me to admit it, then I will admit that the word "secularist" was used in the 19th century to refer to a set of some guy's beliefs. But that has nothing to do with the way the word is used now. There are no "secularists" in the sense that Bill O'Reilly attacks. The word is utter nonsense. Let me explain. And let me piss you off.
Let's start with the uncontraversial word, "secular". What does it
mean ?
sec·u·lar
adj.
1. Worldly rather than spiritual.
2. Not specifically relating to religion or to a religious body: secular music.
3. Relating to or advocating secularism.
4. Not bound by monastic restrictions, especially not belonging to a religious order. Used of the clergy.
5. Occurring or observed once in an age or century.
6. Lasting from century to century.
Let's just take the first two definitions. "Worldly rather than spiritual," and "Not specifically relating to a religion . . ."
As an example: my brother is a devout Baptist. Nevertheless, he loves tennis, and by the correct definition of "secular", his love of tennis is perfectly "secular." That is . . . worldly rather than spiritual. Tennis is not divinely inspired. It's a worldly matter. At least, I assume it is.
Do you know how to tell the difference between secular and religious beliefs, or loves, or desires? It's not mysterious, and it's not evil. It's very simple. Secular beliefs (such as your belief that your kitchen has a sink), your secular loves (tennis) and your secular desires (vanilla or chocolate ice cream) are those beliefs, loves, and desires that have nothing much to do with your religion. That's it. That's all. That's the only fucking thing "secular" means.
The Pope has secular beliefs. Of course he does.
But now! On stage-right! Let us introduce! With fanfare and eagles! This new use of the this fabulous, world-destroying word, "Secularist"!!!!
When I first heard Mr. O use this term, I honestly had no idea what he was talking about. "Secularists"? What the hell is a "secularist"? It took me awhile, but I figured out that he meant "atheist". He's conflating "secular" and "atheist."
Follow me here . . .
link.
sec·u·lar·ism
n.
1. Religious skepticism or indifference.
2. The view that religious considerations should be excluded from civil affairs or public education.
See that? Definition (2) is the old definition. Defintion (1) is Mr. Asshole's definiton. This is a new development in the English language.
Now . . . I understand that the meanings of words change over time. "Bad" meant "good" for a while there, as in "I'm bad! I'm bad! Ya know it!" As Mr. Jackson sang. Okay. That's cool. Heck, the word "lady," a long time ago, meant, "baker of the bread."
But this . . . this abduction of the word "secular," by the right wing, is a threat and a tactic to undermine the very idea that one could hold some beliefs to be secular while still being a religious person. By equating "secularism" with "atheism" they are undermining the First Amendment. Don't you dare think they don't know it.
Thus: "secularists" (whatever the fuck that means) want to take the 10 commandments out of the schools. The "secularists" want to put gays in the Boy Scouts. The "secularists".
IT MAKES NO MORE SENSE TO STICK THE AFFIX "IST" ON THE END OF "SECULAR" THAN IT DOES TO STICK THE AFFIX "ISM" ON THE END OF "CELLO".
I say this as an Atheist. My personal beliefs have nothing to do with the abuse of the all-important, infinitely valuable word "secular" . . . a word which refers, simply, to those things which are not divine. Mr. O wants us to think that all things are divine. Nothing is worldly. 'Specially not the government.
Wikipedia :
When applied to society, secularism is considered to be any of a range of situations where a society less automatically assumes religious beliefs to be either widely shared or a basis for conflict in various forms, than in recent generations of the same society. In this sense secularism is linked to the sociological concept of secularization and may be upheld as an academic thesis, rather than advocated as a desirable state of affairs.
In government, secularism means a policy of avoiding entanglement between government and religion (ranging from reducing ties to a state religion to promoting secularism in society), of non-discrimination among religions (providing they don't deny primacy of civil laws), and of guaranteeing human rights of all citizens, regardless of the creed (and, if conflicting with certain religious rules, by imposing priority of the universal human rights).
Media Matters :
In the latest instance of decrying the purported "war" on Christmas, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly claimed that "it's all part of the secular progressive agenda ... to get Christianity and spirituality and Judaism out of the public square." He then added: "[B]ecause if you look at what happened in Western Europe and Canada, if you can get religion out, then you can pass secular progressive programs, like legalization of narcotics, euthanasia, abortion at will, gay marriage, because the objection to those things is religious-based, usually."
Thank you for your time.