secularist etymology

Etymology

The word "secularist" comes from the Latin word "saecularis," which means "worldly" or "temporal." It is derived from the root word "saeculum," meaning "age" or "world."

Meaning

A secularist is a person who believes that religion should not play a role in government or public affairs. Secularists argue that the government should be neutral on matters of religion and that religious beliefs should be kept separate from the state.

Origin

The term "secularism" was first used in the 17th century by English political philosopher John Locke. Locke argued that the state should not interfere in religious matters and that individuals should be free to practice their own religion without government interference.

The concept of secularism gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries as part of the Enlightenment movement. Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Thomas Jefferson believed that religion should be a private matter and that the state should not promote or endorse any particular religion.

Secularism became a major political force in the 20th century, particularly in Europe and North America. In many countries, secularist parties won elections and passed laws that separated church and state.

Today, secularism is a widely accepted principle in many parts of the world. It is enshrined in the constitutions of many countries, including the United States, France, and Canada.

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