SECULARISM S
ecularism is the predominant ideology in our society today with at least three variations. One variation believes that religion should not be part of the affairs of the state or part of public education. Because of pluralism and multiculturalism, it’s the movement to separate church and state where religious ideology has no influence in political or educational decisions. Another variation of secularism believes in the removal of religious influences not only in the public spheres of education and politics, but also of all societal and cultural aspects of life. This type of secularism says religion is a personal matter and there should be full freedom and tolerance for all religions. In Canada freedom of religion has become freedom from Christianity as Bible reading, the Lord’s Day, public prayer, and Christian symbols are being removed from the public square. The broadest variation of secularism ignores the supernatural entirely and
rejects any faith in any sphere. The focus is strictly on the here and now—“You only live once.” Man is an intensely religious worshipping creature. But because we are sinful, we replace the truly sacred—our holy God, with worship of other things and deem these other things to be sacred. God calls that idolatry (Exodus 20:3-6). This is where secularism is flawed. It replaces what was formerly considered to be sacred such as Christian symbols and traditions with different ones that are not Christian. It removes God and elevates new “sacreds” such as the individual, the nation-state, politics, nature, ecology, and science. These new sacreds become the basis for decisions in politics, education, economy, and culture. Once we remove God, the ultimate One who created all things, who owns all things, and through whom all things hold together, and replace Him with man-made sacreds, everything loses its ultimate meaning.
Article Image: Kunj Parekh unsplash.com
by steve johnson
