Secularism

A secular curve is a long-term trend or pattern in data, often used in financial and economic contexts to describe the persistent movement of a variable over an extended period, typically years or decades. It contrasts with cyclical movements, which are shorter-term fluctuations influenced by economic cycles. Secular curves can reveal underlying changes in growth rates, demographics, or technology, providing insights into future projections and strategic planning.

A secular priest is a priest who does not live according to a rule of a religious order, society, or congregation of priests. He is a priest who does not take the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience of the members of a religious order, but instead promises obedience to a diocesan bishop and to live a celibate life. Most parishes are administered by a secular priest and parish work is his main canonical mission. Today, a secular priest is often called a diocesan or archdiocesan priest. Secular priest is differentiated from regular priest (regular priest meaning a priest living according to a rule, regula in Latin, like the Franciscans, Dominicans, and Jesuits), better known today as religious order priest. Today, there is not much difference in the academic training of a secular priest and a regular priest because they often study in the same college and graduate theology schools/universities though they may differ in the mission, vision, and spiritual formations since a regular priest has additional training unique to the order, congregation, or society he belongs to. Read more at the related question below, what is a secular priest?

The Enlightenment, an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries, emphasized reason, science, and individualism over traditional authority and religious dogma. This shift in thinking led to a questioning of established religious beliefs and a focus on empirical evidence and rationality. As a result, many Enlightenment thinkers advocated for the separation of church and state, leading to a more secular outlook in society.

Secular music refers to music that is not religious or spiritual in nature. Some characteristics of secular music include themes related to everyday life, relationships, emotions, and personal experiences. It often focuses on entertainment and artistic expression rather than worship or religious rituals. Secular music can encompass a wide range of genres, styles, and cultural influences.

Naturalistic Secular Humanism asserts that human ethics and morals are derived from reason, nature, and shared human experience without the need for supernatural beliefs. Atheistic existentialism focuses on individual freedom, subjective experience, and the responsibility to create one's own meaning and values in the absence of a higher power. All these philosophies emphasize the importance of reason, critical thinking, and human agency in navigating life's challenges and finding purpose.

From a secular point of view, stem cell research is often seen as a valuable scientific endeavor that has the potential to lead to medical advancements and treatments for various diseases and conditions. The focus is typically on the ethical considerations of using stem cells derived from adult tissues or created through non-controversial methods, rather than those obtained from human embryos.

Secular scientists primarily use the mechanisms of natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and mutation to explain evolution. These mechanisms act on genetic variation within populations over time, leading to changes in the traits and characteristics of organisms. The combination of these processes drives the diversity of life we see today.

Secular magazines refer to publications that are not affiliated with or focused on religious or spiritual content. They are typically oriented towards a general, non-religious audience and cover a wide range of topics, including:

1. News and Current Affairs: These magazines report on and analyze current events, politics, economics, and social issues from a non-religious perspective.

2. Arts and Culture: Secular magazines often feature content related to literature, music, film, visual arts, theater, and other cultural pursuits.

3. Lifestyle and Entertainment: Many secular magazines cover lifestyle topics such as fashion, travel, food, health, and leisure activities.

4. Science and Technology: Some secular magazines specialize in reporting on scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and related issues.

5. Business and Finance: Secular business and finance magazines provide news, analysis, and advice on economic and financial matters.

6. Social and Political Commentary: These magazines offer in-depth discussions and debates on societal, political, and ideological topics from a non-religious standpoint.

Examples of well-known secular magazines include The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Vanity Fair, The Economist, Scientific American, Forbes, and The New York Review of Books, among others.

Secular magazines are distinct from religious or faith-based publications, which typically focus on spiritual, theological, or denominational content and cater to a specific religious audience. The key characteristic of secular magazines is their non-religious, objective, and inclusive approach to the topics they cover.

The Renaissance period, with its renewed interest in the arts, culture, and the rebirth of classical knowledge, played a significant role in the emergence of humanism and secularism. Humanism emphasized the importance of human reason, ethics, and individualism, while secularism prioritized worldly concerns over religious ones, leading to a shift in focus toward human experiences and achievements in fields such as literature, philosophy, and science.

The Hindi word for secular in the Indian constitution is "Dharma-nirpeksh" (धर्म-निरपेक्ष).

Jawaharlal Nehru is often credited as the father of Indian secularism for his commitment to creating a secular state in India that respects all religions equally. He played a significant role in shaping India's secular principles as outlined in its constitution.

Secular humanists may view suffering as an inherent part of the human experience that should be ameliorated through reason, compassion, and ethical action. They may emphasize the importance of addressing suffering through scientific and social progress, rather than relying on religious explanations or supernatural interventions. Additionally, they may advocate for greater empathy and support for those experiencing suffering, focusing on human-centered solutions.

The Secular Outlook of the Enlightenment emphasized reason, natural law, and scientific inquiry as the basis for understanding the world. It challenged traditional religious authority and promoted the idea of individual autonomy and freedom. This perspective inspired thinkers to question established beliefs and institutions, leading to advances in philosophy, science, and political theory.

NO. Both the Renaissance and the Enlightenment are two distinct movements that could be seen to be secular intellectual and cultural movements based on ancient Greek and Roman philosophy. Conversely, Despotism is political term used to refer to the exercise of absolute power in a dictatorial and oppressive way.

Secular wisdom refers to practical knowledge, insights, and principles that are derived from observation, logic, and human experience rather than from religious or spiritual beliefs. It is a way of understanding the world and making decisions based on reason, evidence, and critical thinking rather than relying solely on faith or tradition.

Niccolò Machiavelli is often associated with secularism due to his political writings that emphasized the pragmatic use of power and authority, rather than relying on religious or moral principles. However, it is debated among scholars whether Machiavelli himself was a true secularist as his views on religion were nuanced and not purely secular. He did emphasize the need for effective governance and political strategy over religious considerations in his works.

Secular humanism generally regards money and career as important for individuals to meet their basic needs and achieve personal fulfillment. It values financial stability and career success as means to support oneself and contribute positively to society. However, it also emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations and encourages individuals to pursue careers that align with their values and make a positive impact on the world.

In secular humanism, suffering is viewed as a negative experience that should be minimized or eliminated through rational, evidence-based approaches. Secular humanists emphasize the importance of compassion, empathy, and ethical decision-making to alleviate suffering and promote well-being for individuals and society as a whole. Ultimately, the goal is to address the root causes of suffering and create a more just and humane world.

Secular humanism views money as a practical tool for meeting basic needs and achieving personal goals. It emphasizes responsible and ethical use of money to promote individual well-being and contribute to the greater good of society. Money is not seen as inherently good or evil, but as a resource that should be managed wisely and used to support human flourishing.

Secular Humanism as a movement does not have a single founder. It has evolved over time with contributions from various philosophers and thinkers who emphasized reason, ethics, and human values over religious beliefs. Notable figures include Paul Kurtz, Corliss Lamont, and Bertrand Russell.

The Enlightenment was a secular movement because it emphasized reason, science, and individual rights over religious dogma and divine authority. It sought to challenge traditional beliefs and promote the idea of progress through human understanding and empirical evidence rather than through religious faith.