A Quick Guide on Secularism vs Non-religiosity (By Jack McGuane)

While the term secularism is frequently invoked in discussions of religion, politics, and society, it is far from straightforward to define. However, scholar Jean Baubérot offers a framework by identifying three core principles: “separation of religious institutions from the institutions of the state and no domination of the political sphere by religious institutions; freedom of thought, conscience, and religion for all; and no state discrimination against anyone on grounds of their religion or non-religious worldview.” From these principles, I conclude that a secularist society is one in which religion plays no role in politics or public life beyond that of specific religious groups.

Non-religiosity differs slightly from secularism. In a Humanists UK article on non-religiosity and non-believers, it notes that non-religious individuals “typically hold that moral feelings are social in origin, based on treating others as they would wish to be treated (the ‘golden rule’ which antedates all the major world religions).” Non-religiosity is a broader concept, while secularism is a specific subset. Secularism focuses on maintaining a society led by religiously neutral politicians, without emphasizing any religious beliefs. Other forms of non-religiosity include agnosticism, atheism, freethinking, humanism, rationalism, and skepticism. The relationship between non-religiosity and secularism can be compared to the relationship between Christianity and Catholicism: to be secular, one must be non-religious, but being non-religious doesn't necessarily mean being secular. Similarly, to be Catholic, one must be Christian, but being Christian can also mean following Protestantism, Episcopalianism, Presbyterianism, Anglicanism, or other denominations.

How do other types of non-religiosity contrast with secularism? Agnosticism is centered around uncertainty, with agnostics maintaining that there is insufficient evidence to commit to any particular religious belief. Atheism, closely aligned with modern freethinking, shares some similarities with agnosticism but takes a firmer stance by rejecting religion entirely, even while acknowledging the possibility of its existence. Humanists, much like religious followers, value ethics and morality, but they root these values in reason and human nature rather than divine authority. Rationalists, akin to skeptics, focus on basing their beliefs on indisputable facts about the universe, rather than subscribing to any religious doctrine. Modern secularists, on the other hand, prioritize the separation of politics and public institutions from religion, while supporting the freedom to identify with any faith. Secularism, once more closely aligned with humanism, has evolved over time into a distinct concept. Though the distinctions between these non-religious philosophies can be subtle, they remain significant.

The peculiar aspect of non-religiosity, and secularism as well, is that those who identify with these ideologies are, in a sense, still devoted to a belief—precisely what religion is about. Belief in nothing is, paradoxically, still a belief, because even "nothing" can be considered "something" in this context. By this reasoning, the non-religious, in their adherence to a worldview that rejects or questions the divine, are still engaging in a form of belief, thus blurring the line between non-religiosity and religiosity. This inherent complexity and contradiction is what makes the study of faith so fascinating. It underscores the profound, often paradoxical nature of religion, contributing to its role as a deeply significant and extraordinary aspect of human life.