Secularism

[Agnosthiest]

"Secularism in current usage is generally the ideology that certain practices or institutions should exist separately from religion or religious belief. Alternatively, it is a principle of promoting secular ideas or values in either public or private settings.

In one sense, secularism may assert the freedom of religion, and freedom from the government imposition of religion upon the people, within a state that is neutral on matters of belief, and gives no state privileges or subsidies to religions. In another sense, it refers to a belief that human activities and decisions, especially political ones, should be based on evidence and fact rather than religious influence."

"In political terms, secularism is a movement towards the separation of religion and government (often termed the separation of church and state). This can refer to reducing ties between a government and a state religion, replacing laws based on scripture (such as the Ten Commandments and Sharia law) with civil laws, and eliminating discrimination on the basis of religion. This is said to add to democracy by protecting the rights of each religious minorities."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secularism

[Agnosthiest]

The survival of the Jews is in playing one against the other and deciding how not to get punched. Now there is a third player, secularism.

Secularism is not an international organization. We are not organized and our opinion on Jews vary. Some sympathize with Palestinians, and some sympathize with Israel. Many dont care at all.

Secularism is generally the friendliest to the Jews and at the same time the most insidious.

How is that so? Like its obvious I am friendly to jews, but then how am i being insidious with them?



Andak, why does secularism disturb you? You want it replaced by Theocracy?

[Grande]

Secularism is good for countries with bad-behaving citizens, but I think the perfect nation wouldn't have secularism.

[Agnosthiest]

Secularism is good for countries with bad-behaving citizens, but I think the perfect nation wouldn't have secularism.

thats like saying a perfect nation would be under the thumb of religion. would you explain why you prefer this?

[bararallu]

I would rip up my Israeli passport if Israel turned into a theocracy. It doesn't work, like communism doesn't work; running a country on a religious legal system is pure bedlam and have no doubts it will shed blood by the river. We have just enough of it to say: no! but thanks for asking though. Some one who has not lived under a theocracy should not prop it's benefits, just saying. I recommend that if you see a Bahai, say in their gardens in Haifa, you can ask them what it is to live in a theocracy... they will be very loud and descriptive, even for a very self-reserved community.

[Grande]

thats like saying a perfect nation would be under the thumb of religion. would you explain why you prefer this?

God's idea of a perfect nation was theocratic!

What I meant is that, today's world can't handle theocracy, but I think; maybe, sometime in the future, atleast some of us will have successful theocracy in place.

[einherjer]

It is complicated.
Secularism is good for certain people and bad to others.
some people who are having hard time to adjust to the world, and seeking for answers which there is no answer about them will find the religion as a refuge, others, will seek for answers within the secular limit.
so there is no profound answer.

[dayag]

God's idea of a perfect nation was theocratic!

What I meant is that, today's world can't handle theocracy, but I think; maybe, sometime in the future, atleast some of us will have successful theocracy in place.

If G-d Himself is running it, how could one object (without being struck by lightning)? The problem is that there are always human authorities interpreting G-d's will. That's where the sand gets in the gears.

[Justcurious]

If G-d Himself is running it, how could one object (without being struck by lightning)?

Why don't you ask himself? If he (God) has proven facts, I might consider asking him, but I haven't met him yet.

[Agnosthiest]

If G-d Himself is running it, how could one object (without being struck by lightning)? The problem is that there are always human authorities interpreting G-d's will. That's where the sand gets in the gears.

i cant agree more!

[The Israeli Guy]

I define myself as secular Jew.

It doesn't mean that I'm an atheist! Not at all!

I accept the historical events of the Exodus and of the revelation in Mt. Sinai because the whole nation witnessed it.

My secularity means that in my daily life I deal with secular (non religious) things like television, movies, sports etc.

I don't deal too much (I bless on the food, put Tfilin from time to time and of course celebrate holidays) with spiritual religious issues like learning Torah etc.

This is the meaning of secularism to me.