Author: Dr. Fazl Ahmad Ahmadi
An Inquiry into Secularism (1st Part)
Abstract
Secularism, an ideological framework, is rooted in natural ethics and is not based on revelation or supernatural matters. This ideology emphasizes the separation of religion from politics and advocates for secularism, which includes belief in the authenticity of worldly affairs, non-religiousness, the segregation of religion from the world, atheism, opposition to Sharia law and religious doctrines, traditionalism, and dezincification. Given these characteristics of secularism, a fundamental issue arises: how did secularism develop, and what is its relationship with religion?
Using library sources and a descriptive-analytical method, this study finds that secularism emerged as a philosophical and political thought in the 16th century and was further solidified in the 19th century, particularly following the diminishing authority of the Church and the Pope after the French Revolution. Regarding the relationship between secularism and religion, various perspectives exist—such as minimalism, maximalism, and a middle ground—each with its own proponents. These differing views illustrate the complexity of the relationship between secularism and religion.
Key words: secular, secularism, religion, ethics and thought.
Introduction
Everything undergoes ups and downs with the passage of time and even the thoughts and beliefs that may have many followers for many years are transformed and go through their ups and downs. Secularism, which is a kind of ideology, is rooted in natural ethics and is not based on revelation and supernatural affairs. In fact, this ideology follows the separation of religion from politics and the call to worldliness, belief in the authenticity of worldly affairs, non-religiousness, separation of religion from the world, secularism, opposition to the Sharia and religious content, traditionalism and desanctification, which today in various societies have There are many followers and supporters; Therefore, the examination of this belief and thought shows that the opposition to religion and religious affairs has a great and universal aspect.
Research in the field of political ideas in general and in the field of secularism in particular, until now and in the 21st century when everything is clear, has a lot of importance and followers and has a special dignity and characteristic. At the same time, one of the most important issues that cause the growth and development of the political, economic and cultural life of the human society is the mutual understanding of the differences and numerous political/philosophical beliefs that have ruled over the basic issues of the human society based on the will of its founders.
According to this matter, investigating the political thought of secularism is one of the political needs, paying attention to it causes the growth and development of beliefs and respect for the beliefs of others, and also brings us closer to the belief that a large number of people still believe in political thoughts. which may be rejected from our point of view and especially from the point of view of Islamic law.
In the field of political thoughts in general, many books have been written by authors. It can almost be said that in every book written about political ideas in general, there is a detailed or brief discussion about the teachings of secularism. Also, a large number of articles have been written about the philosophical/political thought of secularism, some of which are listed in the list of sources of this research.
But the difference between this research and other existing researches in this field is that the current research presents a general view and a brief statement of beliefs and opinions, factors of emergence and elements of the doctrine of secularism. The reader can imagine secularism in his mind in a general view and know what beliefs this political thought had and in fact it grew and developed in opposition to which beliefs. Also, this research investigates the ups and downs of secularism during several centuries of its life.
According to the previous texts the main question is how did secularism come about and what is its relationship with religion? Using library sources and with the help of descriptive-analytical method, these findings are obtained that secularism as a philosophical/political thought emerged in the 16th century and was strengthened in the 19th century, with the weakening of the sanctity of the Church and the Pope after the French Revolution. In the field of the relationship between secularism and religion, there are different views such as minimal view, maximal view and middle view of secularism. Each of these views has its own followers and based on each of these views, differences can be seen in the relationship between secularism and religion.
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