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Secularism and Religion

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Secularism and religion

Secularism and Religion

Religion and Secularism have been around for years. People have many different views and thoughts about secularism. Secularism as a philosophy owes its origins to George Jacob Holyoake (1860), who introduced the idea that life should be lived by reference to ethical principles, and the world understood by processes of reasoning, rather than by reference to God or gods, or other supernatural concepts. From the perspective of government and governance, secularism refers to a policy that separates religious authority from the state .The opposite of secularism is usually theocracy; that is, where religion has a major role in government. Religion in the Civil War pervaded virtually all aspects of American society.

Not all Americans held religious beliefs and values, but many did. Religion was not confined to one particular group, but soldiers and civilians, Northerners and Southerners, freed and slave, males and females, and Jews and Christians all made use of religion. Furthermore, a reciprocal relationship existed between the Civil War and religion, with both influencing and being influenced by each other. As a result, religion during the Civil War did not remain a static entity during 1861-1865; instead, it became an institution that constantly changed and adapted itself, as well as its devotees.

Americans used religion to interpret their experiences during and after the war. People on both sides of the conflict believed in a God who was actively involved in their affairs. To them, the war was not a secular event, but one guided by God.

The God of the Civil War judged, chastised, and liberated people. Religions is a very serious topic, there is all types of beliefs on religion. Enlightenment thought gained influence in Europe and elsewhere,

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