I attempt to show: (1) that secularism, as we conceive it today, is not fundamentally irreligious and that a hazy, ambiguous account of religion only softens secularism’s resolution; (2) that our modern conception of religion is false: Not all religions have God, faith, moral codes, devoutness, rituals, afterlife, metaphysical, supernatural, et cetera, and not all religions come from wishful thinking, fabrications of the imagination, irrationality, superstition, et cetera; (3) that religious philosophers and scholars are relying on a materialistic approach and cherry picking religious properties, which is what makes religion appear ambiguous, and that all the arguments to prove religions ambiguity effectively prove religion’s all-encompassing reality; (4) that since secular beliefs and experiences seem to overlap and entail religious properties, as well, then we must all be religious to some degree–––the sacred and secular are married, for better or for worse. If true, then each secular position holding the same characteristics of religion can, therefore, become a religion unto themselves over time (i.e., Statism).
So, before I begin the next instalment of this series on understanding religion, I would like to know your thoughts: If the line between secularism and religion is truly blurry, where does the separation of Church and State begin? Or rather, how should we understand the separation of Church and State?
It’s a really tricky concept to pin down. Though the concept is inherently Christian in its origins, it’s inception almost depends upon a Christian culture (though not denominationally dependent) to properly execute. Theoretically, both entities should be sovereign in their own sphere.
In todays world, perhaps in the same way that the Christian is called to walk in the tension between submission to government and submission to God, the separation of church and state can be viewed through a similar lens.
It’s a really tricky concept to pin down. Though the concept is inherently Christian in its origins, it’s inception almost depends upon a Christian culture (though not denominationally dependent) to properly execute. Theoretically, both entities should be sovereign in their own sphere.
In todays world, perhaps in the same way that the Christian is called to walk in the tension between submission to government and submission to God, the separation of church and state can be viewed through a similar lens.