Author: Dr. Fazl Ahmad Ahmadi
An Inquiry into Secularism (Part Five)
4. The Relationship Between Secularism and Religion
According to some, secularism, at least in its theoretical stage, does not oppose religious beliefs or even the practice of religious propositions; it only demands that religion, as a separate standard against self-based reason and scientific experience, does not interfere in the provision of worldly human happiness. Therefore, religious beliefs and dos and don’ts, if filtered through the channel of reason and human experience and confirmed, can be considered and even utilized as one of the effective tools of secularism. In fact, this aligns with Machiavelli’s conception of secularism. In Machiavelli’s view, religion and politics were intertwined, as prior to the age of Enlightenment, politics was synonymous with religion.
On the other hand, most advocates of secularism in various fields of human life are not against religious orientations or even religious practices. Thus, one should not confuse the theoretical claims of secularism with its practical applications. In other words, although secularism can lead to a confrontation with religion both in terms of opinion and practice, it is not inherently against religion and religious beliefs in its theoretical phase, and at the same time, it lacks a vested interest in them. By examining various works authored by theorists of secularism, other definitions of this relationship can be discerned. In general, there are three main perspectives in this regard:
A. Minimal Vision of Secularism
Based on this viewpoint, secularism is a theory aimed at limiting the role of religion, confining it to the realm of individual human behavior, and demanding that religion not interfere in social spheres. Thus, it advocates for the exclusion of religion from positions of power and governance.
However, based on the study of the concept of secularism, this view does not align well with the true essence of secularism. The theory of secularism is not restricted to what is proposed in this perspective and encompasses all areas related to human life. An examination of theories similar to secularism reveals that the separation of religion from the state and the negation of its authority in managing social life is central to the theory of laicism, which differs from secularism. Laicism claims to separate religion (including its ecclesiastical form) from the state and negates its involvement in political affairs.
Some have also suggested using religion as a tool. For instance, Machiavelli, while indifferent to the truth or falsity of religious teachings, believed that the influence of religion could enhance power and governance; therefore, religion should be strengthened and utilized in society. According to Machiavelli, superstitions, divination, and prophecy could serve as tools under the guise of religion, as these elements can motivate soldiers and agents in certain situations.
B. Maximum Vision of Secularism
In this perspective, secularism equates to atheism. Any behavior or belief that exhibits a religious hue or reflects religious convictions is rejected and discarded. At times, this view is interpreted to be a form of atheism or at least associated with agnosticism. However, this perspective often diverges from the true claims of secularism. Many proponents of this theory do not hold such views and do not deny their adherence to religious beliefs or the performance of religious rites, provided they do not contradict the authority of self-based reason and scientific experience.
For example, Adel Zaher states: “The assumptions that form the basis of laws may theoretically lead to regulations compatible with Islamic Sharia, but these assumptions fall outside the domain of religion. Logically, a government may be secular, with religion not serving as the final authority; yet it is possible for the laws to align with religious law. That is, rational expedients should guide the government towards establishing laws conforming to Sharia.” In short, according to Adel Zaher, the fundamental description of secularism and its semantic core is the reliance on and insistence upon prioritizing reason, even if such prioritization ultimately aligns with religion.
C. Middle Vision of Secularism
According to this interpretation, secularism is not fundamentally opposed to religion, at least in its theoretical stage. The crucial aspect is the rejection of double standards and the negation of religious authority. Religious beliefs and behaviors are accepted and even recommended from the perspective of secularism as long as they do not conflict with the authority of secular reason and are consistent with it.
In other words, this viewpoint can be associated with Jürgen Habermas’s thought. Habermas has reflected on the reality of contemporary religious revival. By proposing the concept of “post-secularism,” he explores the role of religion in the public and political spheres of today’s liberal democratic societies, seeking to understand how religious believers can fully participate in the liberal democratic policies of modern pluralistic societies.
Continues…
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