Is secularism really the issue, or is it atheism?
Reply to the thepolitic.com, “Canada as a Secular State: Never was, Never will be“.
It seems to me that people that argue for a secular state are in fact arguing for a atheistic state. For me a secular state has always meant no one religion rules over another. That is why a country like Canada that was founded by Catholics and Protestants, has a long history of thinking of it self as ’secular’.
If people really wanted to fight this move to “secularism”, we need to start calling it what it is and that is ‘Atheism’. We need to remember that the way it is said is just as important as what we are saying. The notion that we are a “secular state” is to deeply rooted to be fought. To that end the fight is about what a “secular state” is. We have the upper hand in that fight and we should not give it away by arguing against a “secular state”.
Which is the stronger argument when dealing with people that are not very religious.
1. Canada has always been a religious country and should stay that way.
2. If Canada is truly a secular state that believes in equal rights, then people should have no need to hide their religion.
Going with the second option also allows you to move right into pointing out that what these people really want is atheism. A country devoid of any religion outside of a person’s home. I think almost everyone can see that is not the kind of country we want.
One last time. When did we agree that atheism was “neutral”. Atheism is just one of many point of view on the world. It’s not “neutral” and should have to right to be the default.
