Secular worldview Flashcards
What is Secularism?
- Religion should not be part of the affairs of the state.
- It means that religion does not get the final say on morality or government.
- supports ethics based on reasoning about human nature, without referring to God or gods.
- Believers and non-believers are all treated equally with regards to freedom of thought, speech and beliefs.
- advocates freedom of speech, and freedom of religion.
- understands the universe without appealing to religious explanations, such as Creationism myths.
- excludes conventional religion as a foundation for life and law.
Christianity’s response to secularism
- Christianity quickly adapted
- Christians don’t see conflict between Christian teaching and a secular state.
Islam’s response to secularism
- Muslims cast secularism as a completely foreign doctrine imposed on the Islamic world by colonial powers.
- There are Muslims who choose to follow secular law, (even where it contradicts Islamic law.) - but this is more common in the West.
- It is important to note that Islamic law has not changed at all, and Muslims have never questioned it.
What are Features of a secular state?
- It promotes freedom of religion:
In a secular constitution, all religions may practise and worship in their own ways but must not infringe on the religious rights of others. - It promotes religious tolerance:
Religious and non-religious people can live in peace without the fear of being discriminated against. - Governance is not based on religion:
Religious ideas about social justice and morality may have some influence from religion, but the laws should not be based on religion. - Religion cannot dictate terms on the laws of the state.
- There is peace because all religions are recognised as being equal.
- In state functions, such as the inauguration of the president, all religions participate.
What are Influence of secularism on the South African Constitution?
- The Constitution is not based on any religious teachings.
- The Constitution promotes equal recognition of all religions and religious freedom.
- Secularism helped promotes religious tolerance.
- Freedom of religions, beliefs and opinion are enshrined in the Constitution.
- In the South African Constitution, morals and ethical values are based on reasoning and not on religious teachings.
- There is no state religion.
Do we still find Non-Secular States?
- Some countries claim to be secular but have non-secular tendencies such as references to religion in national anthems or flags.
- Secular states can be any form of government, from democracy to absolute monarchies.
- Modern democracies are generally recognized as secular due to freedom of religion principles
- Most societies become increasingly secular due to development and progress, not through a dedicated movement for secularism
Features of a Non-Secular State – e.g. Saudi Arabia
- To be a non-secular state means they declare themselves as a nation of a particular religion and many impose that religion on its citizens.
- They are not neutral. It is also called a state religion
- Generally, in non-secular states laws are made based on a particular religion. That particular nation will not encourage other religions for spreading.
- Support from government for the specific religion varies from country to country. In some cases, those that follow the state endorsed religion will receive privileges, like reduction in taxes etc.
- Where there is strong support for the state religion one might find the government supporting religious persecution of non-state religions.
What are the influences of religion on morality?
- In religious society there is an emphasis on personal moral development.
- All religious lectures emphasize that better personal behaviour is required.
- All religions teach that one is rewarded for good deeds and evil has negative consequences.
- When religious people say ‘morals’, they mean living according to teachings of their sacred books.
- Continual repetition of laws and rules from childhood helps to improve morality.
- Religions have a vast amount of literature about the path a person may take for moral reformation.
- All religions teach that having sex before marriage is sin. That positively influences moral behaviour of the community.
- What we call ‘morals’ today were originally the teachings of religious leaders.
What are the influences of worldviews on morality?
- Humans can make choices based on reason.
- Society gives us a standard by which we can distinguish good and bad
- There are people who have high moral values but have no religious belief.
- In contrast, there are religious leaders who are immoral.
- According to secular worldviews the knowledge of right and wrong is innate in people.
- Secularists claim that they do good for the sake of doing good. There is no need for a god.
- Morality is about making choices based on independent judgment
Discuss the positive and negative impact of secularism on society
POSITIVE IMPACT OF SECULARISM ON SOCIETY:
* Moral values are promoted through the Constitution and the Bill of Human Rights.
* People of different faiths are able to coexist in harmony
* There is no need for sacred texts to develop a moral code - The law will enforce moral values
* Secularism instils a sense of self awakening.
* Secularism has contributed by ending religious wars - restoring human dignity.
-NEGATIVE IMPACT OF SECULARISM ON SOCIETY:
* They ignore the authority of the Supreme Being.
* They rely on reason, evidence and scientific approach in dealing with life.
* They undermine the dictates of sacred texts.
* Religious places of worship are no longer respected.
* The majority of youth do not attend religious celebrations and rituals, as they are are not based on human reasoning.
Discuss the positive and negative impact of secular worldviews on religion
-The positive impact of secular worldviews on religion:
* A secular worldview leads to the separation of religion and state.
* Democratic governments are developed due to secular world views
* Society can debate and question their beliefs as secularism promotes freedom of speech and beliefs.
* Religions cannot impose their beliefs on others, preventing the domination of one religion over others.
* It promotes freedom of speech
* It promotes freedom of conscience and belief.
* It provides a framework of principles and ethical guidelines for life.
-Negative impact of secular worldviews on religion:
* It undermines the role of religion.
* People start leaving religions for secular views
* Religious leaders lose their influence
* Religions become less important when worldviews dominate.
* It provides an alternative set of norms and values.
* The conflicting values create confusion in society.
* Religions appear outdated and unappealing to younger generations.
* Institutions such as marriage and family life are seen as less important, since they were traditionally based on religious teachings.
Names the types of worldviews
- humanism,
- agnosticism,
- atheism
- materialism
Describe Secular Humanism
- Humanism is a non-religious worldview rooted in science, naturalistic philosophy, and humanist ethics.
- Rather than faith, doctrine or mysticism, secular humanists use reason, compassion, and common sense to find solutions to human problems.
- Humanists promote universal values such as integrity, benevolence, fairness and responsibility.
- They believe that with reason, an open marketplace of ideas, goodwill, and tolerance, progress can be made towards building a better world for all as well as future generations.
What are the core elements of Humanism?
- Believe education is fundamental in forming human nature.
- Opposed to religious education in schools
- Humanism is strongly based on reason.
- They believe reasoning and the scientific method are the means of finding truth.
- There should be a continuous search for the objective truth.
- More concern is placed on ‘life now’ rather than focus on the ‘afterlife’.
What is Agnosticism?
- Believe that it is impossible to prove the existence or the non-existence of God.
What are The core elements of Agnosticis?
- Agnosticism refers to uncertainty about God.
The existence of God cannot be proved nor disproved. - Agnostics are sceptical of religious teachings.
They reject religious doctrine; especially religions that claim they have spiritual knowledge. - They argue that humans cannot comprehend such a thing as a divine power.
- The existence of God is beyond human understanding.
Define atheism
- Atheism is a rejection of any belief in the existence of deities.
- An Atheist holds the position that there is no God, Supreme Being or divine entity
- Two degrees of atheism: Soft Atheism and Strong Atheism
What is Soft or neutral atheism?
- They do not actively reject the existence of a supernatural being.
- They feel that both of these views depend on proof to support their claims.
What is Strong or positive atheism?
- They believe that, there is evidence to support their atheistic views.
- This is because they feel both world views depend on proof to support their claims.
Define materialism
- The belief that only the physical elements are real and that there is no spiritual or supernatural world is called materialism.
- Also called physicalism.
- Materialism holds the view that all facts are causally dependent upon physical processes, or even reducible to them.
What are the Core elements of Materialism?
- Materialism propagates that nothing exists but nature.
- Any being that is viewed as beyond nature is a creature of imagination.
- Materialism forbids its followers to subject themselves to any spiritual dependency.
- New terms were developed:
o Dialectical materialism:
Matter is regarded as the fundamental cause of everything.
o Historical materialism:
Economics and the relationships between workers and owners as the basic structure in the community are referred to as historical materialism.
What are the similarities between Atheism and Agnosticism?
v The two are similar in that they deny religious beliefs/influence.
v They believe that ethics governing society should be based on human reasoning.
v They are committed to using rational methods of inquiry (scientific reasoning).
v They teach non-discrimination on the basis of religion.
v They subscribe to the Secular Humanist Declaration.
v They believe in separation of Church/religion and state.
What are the differences between Atheism and Agnosticism?
v Atheism denies the existence of a divine being/God.
v Some atheists simply doubt the existence of a supreme being.
v Agnosticism asserts that it is not possible to prove or disprove the existence of a God.
v Agnostics believe that there is always some uncertainty and doubt when trying to understand the universe.
v Since the knowledge of humans is not complete, it is not useful to try to prove or disprove the existence of God.
What are the similarities between Humanism and Materialism
v Both rejects spiritual dependency
v Both are strongly based on reason.
v Both believe reasoning and the scientific method are the means of finding truth
v Karl Marx had an influence in both thoughts.
v Both argues that nothing should merely be accepted based on faith.
What are the differences between Humanism and Materialism?
v Humanism attaches prime importance to humans.
v Materialism is a worldview that believes that matter is the only reality.
v Humanism is not particularly anti-religion.
v Materialism is incompatible with religiouns
v Since the knowledge of humans is not complete, it is not useful to try to prove or disprove the existence of God.
