Organized secularism
Encyclopedia
Organized secularism is a French term which is used within Belgium to refer to local associations and organizations which provide moral support for atheist, agnostic, humanist, freethinking
or irreligious/non-confessional citizens. A person who subscribes to such entities or ideologies, or at least espouses an interest in "free inquiry
" is described as a "secular" or "free-thinker" .
In contrast to the French model for communal organization for rationalists and freethinkers, the Belgian model is considerably more structured and tight-knit due to the Netherlands-like pillarization of Belgian religions and religious communities; in such a structure, various social organizations, such as scouting troops, trade unions and cooperatives and mutual societies are duplicated for each religious or philosophical community (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, socialist, liberal, etc.). Hence, many Belgian nontheists and humanists participate in local church-like services led by secular leaders and chaplains.
Under § 1st, recognized the Catholic religion, the Protestant, the Anglican, Orthodox worship, Jewish worship and the Muslim faith.
Under § 2, "Act of June 21, 2002 on the Central Council of Philosophical non-denominational Communities of Belgium, delegates and institutions responsible for the management of financial and material interests of recognized non-confessional philosophical communities" recognizes a "non-philosophical confessional community" by province and at national level a "Central Secular Council", composed of the "Secular Action Center" on the French side and the "United Liberal Associations" on the Dutch side.
As part of that public status, there are many secular organizations – often much older than the public forum which are also meeting places for people with a common conception of life and homes of secularism have been started in many places for this purpose (sometimes with the support of municipal authorities).
Some associations offer legal assistance on a non-denominational philosophical basis and therefore constitute an alternative to chaplains in hospitals, prisons, army or in the city. Some of these associations organize ceremonies celebrating locally for those who ask some key moments of life:
These ceremonies are an alternative rite of passage for those who wish to socialize some important moments of their lives without recourse to the splendours of a religion in which they can identify.
The budget at the expense of the Belgian state in 2003 for these grants amounted to € 9,010,190.
In the United Kingdom, the British Humanist Association
(which inherited the British wing of the Ethical Culture
movement) is the largest provider of Humanist officiant
s and celebrants for ceremonies and rituals.
currently heads the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University, which was founded in 1974 by current Chaplain Emeritus and former Roman Catholic priest Tom Ferrick.
In addition, the Ethical Culture
movement and most Unitarian Universalist churches carry out services for, and welcome participation from, non-theists and secular humanists.
Freethought
Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that opinions should be formed on the basis of science, logic, and reason, and should not be influenced by authority, tradition, or other dogmas...
or irreligious/non-confessional citizens. A person who subscribes to such entities or ideologies, or at least espouses an interest in "free inquiry
Free Inquiry
Free Inquiry is a bi-monthly journal of secular humanist opinion and commentary published by the Council for Secular Humanism, which is part of the Center for Inquiry. Philosopher Paul Kurtz is the editor-in-chief and Thomas W. Flynn the editor. Feature articles cover a wide range of topics from a...
" is described as a "secular" or "free-thinker" .
In contrast to the French model for communal organization for rationalists and freethinkers, the Belgian model is considerably more structured and tight-knit due to the Netherlands-like pillarization of Belgian religions and religious communities; in such a structure, various social organizations, such as scouting troops, trade unions and cooperatives and mutual societies are duplicated for each religious or philosophical community (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, socialist, liberal, etc.). Hence, many Belgian nontheists and humanists participate in local church-like services led by secular leaders and chaplains.
Belgian law
Currently, section 181 of the Belgian Constitution provides as follows:- "§ 1st. Salaries and pensions of ministers of religion are the responsibility of the state the amounts necessary to deal with them is the annual budget.
- § 2. Salaries and pensions to representatives of organizations recognized by law as providing moral assistance according to a philosophical non-religious charge of the state the amounts necessary to deal with them is the annual budget. "
Under § 1st, recognized the Catholic religion, the Protestant, the Anglican, Orthodox worship, Jewish worship and the Muslim faith.
Under § 2, "Act of June 21, 2002 on the Central Council of Philosophical non-denominational Communities of Belgium, delegates and institutions responsible for the management of financial and material interests of recognized non-confessional philosophical communities" recognizes a "non-philosophical confessional community" by province and at national level a "Central Secular Council", composed of the "Secular Action Center" on the French side and the "United Liberal Associations" on the Dutch side.
- "In the capital of each province there is established a public institution called" the establishment of legal assistance of the Central Council secular ", with legal personality and responsible management of financial and material interests of the philosophical community nondenominational recognized and accepted legal assistance services, which are located on the territory of the province "(Article 5 of the Act).
As part of that public status, there are many secular organizations – often much older than the public forum which are also meeting places for people with a common conception of life and homes of secularism have been started in many places for this purpose (sometimes with the support of municipal authorities).
Some associations offer legal assistance on a non-denominational philosophical basis and therefore constitute an alternative to chaplains in hospitals, prisons, army or in the city. Some of these associations organize ceremonies celebrating locally for those who ask some key moments of life:
- sponsorship (on the occasion of the birth of a child)
- the secular celebration of youth
- secular marriage (as distinct from civil marriage)
- secular funeral
These ceremonies are an alternative rite of passage for those who wish to socialize some important moments of their lives without recourse to the splendours of a religion in which they can identify.
The budget at the expense of the Belgian state in 2003 for these grants amounted to € 9,010,190.
Composition of Central Secular Council
The Central Secular Council, consisting of the Secular Action Center (Walloon-oriented) and the Union of Liberal Associations(Flemish-oriented), assembles a large number of civil organizations which service non-confessional individuals and families.In Europe
Of course, associations "secular" in this sense also exist in France and in many other countries. A public status, assimilating this type of organization to a "recognized religion" are particularly Norway and Germany. The Norwegian organization2has even won the right to solemnize marriages valid under civil law as well as the recognized churches.In the United Kingdom, the British Humanist Association
British Humanist Association
The British Humanist Association is an organisation of the United Kingdom which promotes Humanism and represents "people who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs." The BHA is committed to secularism, human rights, democracy, egalitarianism and mutual respect...
(which inherited the British wing of the Ethical Culture
Ethical Culture
The Ethical movement, also referred to as the Ethical Culture movement or simply Ethical Culture, is an ethical, educational, and religious movement that is usually traced back to Felix Adler...
movement) is the largest provider of Humanist officiant
Humanist officiant
A Humanist officiant is a person who performs secular humanist celebrancy services for weddings, funerals, child namings, coming of age ceremonies, and other rituals...
s and celebrants for ceremonies and rituals.
In North America
In the United States, Freethought congregations have existed since the mid-19th century, when German freethinkers and anti-clericalists emigrated from their homeland in the midst of the 1848 Revolution; they were among the first to establish openly-"free congregations" in the country. Today, Greg EpsteinGreg Epstein
Greg M. Epstein is the current secular humanist chaplain at Harvard University, and is a published author on the subject of secular humanism....
currently heads the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University, which was founded in 1974 by current Chaplain Emeritus and former Roman Catholic priest Tom Ferrick.
In addition, the Ethical Culture
Ethical Culture
The Ethical movement, also referred to as the Ethical Culture movement or simply Ethical Culture, is an ethical, educational, and religious movement that is usually traced back to Felix Adler...
movement and most Unitarian Universalist churches carry out services for, and welcome participation from, non-theists and secular humanists.