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Charles Taylor: The meaning of secularism

By Alliance Alert

The Meaning of Secularism Charles Taylor, The Hedgehog Review 12.3 (Fall 2010) "One of our basic difficulties in dealing with these problems is that we have the wrong model, which has a continuing hold on our minds. We think that secularism (or laïcité) has to do with the relation of the state and religion, whereas in fact it has to do with the (correct) response of the democratic state to diversity. If we look at the three goals above, they have in common that they are concerned with protecting people in their belonging and/or practice of whatever outlook they choose or find themselves in; treating people equally whatever their option; and giving them all a hearing. There is no reason to single out religious (as against nonreligious), 'secular' (in another widely used sense), or atheist viewpoints. Indeed, the point of state neutrality is precisely to avoid favoring or disfavoring not just religious positions, but any basic position, religious or nonreligious. We can?t favor Christianity over Islam, but also we can?t favor religion over against nonbelief in religion, or vice versa."

Full post as published by Constitutionally Correct on November 09, 2010 (boomark / email).