The Impact of Secularism on Various Aspects of Western Society
Secularism emerged as a significant force after the conflict with the church and the incapacity of the Christian religion to adequately respond to the needs of European generations. It has cast a shadow over all aspects of European life and has significantly influenced their lifestyle, livelihood, and governance. Among the different facets that secularism has affected, the following can be mentioned:
1- Secularism and Its Impact on the Western Governance Style
For centuries, Western society was under the jurisdiction and governance of the church, which generally had political opinions and thoughts. This suggests that the church held a form of “political theory,” which interpreted and expressed its position on governance. This political theory of the church, in its most complete and elevated form, resembled imaginary ideals and aspirations that often revolved around the notion of an “illusory utopia.” According to the interpretation of Christian priests, there were only two types of Madina: The Madina of God and the Madina of Satan.
Regarding the characteristics and conditions of these two cities, it was believed that the City of God is ruled by the men of the church, while the City of Satan is governed by the men of the world.
Another political theory propagated by the church was that rulers were not required to be religious men themselves, but it was necessary for them to be under the control and influence of religious authorities. This political thought dominated European kings and rulers throughout history. They considered themselves not only servants and devotees of the church but also identified as Christian warriors and soldiers, participating actively in the Crusades.
In reality, while the church had ceased to regulate and direct government affairs directly, it remained very sensitive to the personal conduct of rulers, holding them accountable for implementing the laws of the church and its priests. Kings adhered to these directives, understanding that their survival depended on their compliance. Given this context, it can be asserted that the “separation of religion from politics,” in its contemporary sense, held no relevance in those eras, despite the fact that Europe never ruled under a divine religion at any point in history.
Non-Religious Political Theories in European Societies
Apart from the political theory of the church, three prominent non-religious political theories were influential in European societies:
1- Imaginary Theory; This theory gained fame among ancient philosophers, who moved from bitter realities to a world of vast imaginations, constructing model societies and utopias in their minds built upon illusions and dreams. Notable proponents of this theory include Plato, as well as later thinkers like Thomas More with his “Utopia” (Ideal City) and Tommaso Campanella with “The City of the Sun.” This theory did not assign any value to religion in governance, instead emphasizing rational coherence and worldly expediency as its foundation.
2- Social Contract Theory; This theory traces its roots to Aristotle, the great philosopher. He posited that man is a “social animal” and that civility is inherent to human nature. Philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau further developed this theory. A central tenet was the exclusion of religion from public life, which it considered a source of backwardness. This theory advocated for nationalism and ethnocentrism, implying that the pact was between individuals and the society in which they lived, aimed at promoting both individual and collective benefits.
3- Theory of Divine Right; This theory was established by priests and popes to control the populace of Europe, exploiting their abilities and resources while claiming divine right. Under this doctrine, Europeans worshipped two human figures as gods for many centuries: the emperor and the pope.
The emperor asserted his right to rule according to his will, demanding obedience from the people. Likewise, the pope expected the populace to follow his decrees and orders, deeming them divine commands. This system of governance persisted for generations, with little challenge or questioning from the populace.
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