Author: Mawlana Abdul Rahman Mu'tasimi
The Phenomenon of Atheism and Ways to Combat It (Part Three)
Terms Related to Atheism (Ilhad)
There are several other terms that are in some way related to atheism. To make our understanding of atheism more precise, comprehensive, and broad, it is appropriate to mention these terms in the following lines:
Irreligion (Non-Religiosity)
Irreligion refers to the lack of belief in all religions that have scriptures, doctrines, rituals, and places of worship, as well as a lack of respect for the ideas that advocate for religion to organize life’s affairs.
An irreligious person may be an atheist, a deist, or an agnostic; that is, it is not necessary for them to be strictly an atheist who denies the existence of God.
Deism
Deism, in English, is derived from the Latin word “deus,” meaning “God.” This philosophy asserts that a God exists and, as the creator and sustainer, is the cause of everything’s creation. Deism rejects the direct intervention of God in the workings of the world. This means that while God created the universe, He has left it to its own devices and does not engage in management or interference, similar to an absent owner of a property who has left it to continue on its own, or like a clockmaker who, after constructing a clock, has no further involvement with it.
However, despite acknowledging a divine creator for the universe, Deism denies any form of divine revelation and believes that human reason alone is sufficient to provide us with a religious life and correct moral principles.
Atheism
Atheism is a belief that acknowledges the existence of a necessary being; however, it asserts the eternity of the universe and the eternity of time, attributing events and changes to time while denying revelation, religion, prophethood, and life after death, including heaven and hell. Followers of this belief are referred to as atheists, and God Almighty has informed us of their atheism, stating:
“وَقَالُوا مَا هِيَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا الدُّنْيَا نَمُوتُ وَنَحْيَا وَمَا يُهْلِكُنَا إِلَّا الدَّهْر” Translation: “And they said, ‘There is nothing but our worldly life; we die and live, and nothing destroys us except time.'” [Al-Jathiya: 24]
From what has been mentioned regarding Atheism, it becomes clear that materialism is essentially the same as Deism, and there seems to be no fundamental difference between them.
Secularism
Secularism is derived from the French term “sécularisme,” which refers to the separation of religion from politics and, in a broader sense, signifies a worldview based on the separation of governmental institutions and those who hold political power from religious institutions and authorities. Secularism does not concern itself with whether an individual keeps their religion privately or at home; however, it does not permit that religion to manifest in social life, education, governance, or politics, advocating instead for its complete removal from public life. Although secularism appears to be indifferent to an individual’s religious beliefs—meaning it does not overtly call for the denial of God or religion, nor does it display animosity towards them—most secularists, particularly in the West, are atheists and non-believers.
Abdulkarim Soroush has broadly categorized secularism into two types: “political secularism” and “philosophical secularism.”
Political secularism, or trans-religious governance, means that an individual separates the institution of religion from the institution of the state, ensuring that the government maintains a neutral stance towards all sects and religions, recognizes their plurality, and remains impartial to all of them.
The other type of secularism is philosophical secularism, which equates to atheism and disbelief in religion, representing a form of materialism. This type of secularism is fundamentally incompatible with religious thought.
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