---
title: "SECULARISM: A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION"
date: "2020-05-07T11:47:27+01:00"
modified: "2020-05-07T11:47:27+01:00"
url: "https://andrewcopson.com/2020/05/secularism-a-very-short-introduction-2/"
post_id: 2172
categories: ["Books"]
---

# SECULARISM: A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION

**Last month, I posted a short video each day on my book [*Secularism: A Very Short* Introduction](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secularism-Very-Short-Introduction-Introductions/dp/0198747225/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_0/261-0177206-3659524?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0198747225&pd_rd_r=9c6b82ee-4024-4e73-97a9-00d9412c6b7a&pd_rd_w=JgF3c&pd_rd_wg=Z2SJe&pf_rd_p=7b8e3b03-1439-4489-abd4-4a138cf4eca6&pf_rd_r=9ZA6E7RFCSG1SY5EE58P&psc=1&refRID=9ZA6E7RFCSG1SY5EE58P), which you can find [here](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secularism-Very-Short-Introduction-Introductions/dp/0198747225/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_0/261-0177206-3659524?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0198747225&pd_rd_r=9c6b82ee-4024-4e73-97a9-00d9412c6b7a&pd_rd_w=JgF3c&pd_rd_wg=Z2SJe&pf_rd_p=7b8e3b03-1439-4489-abd4-4a138cf4eca6&pf_rd_r=9ZA6E7RFCSG1SY5EE58P&psc=1&refRID=9ZA6E7RFCSG1SY5EE58P) for around £5 – both Kindle and paperback!**

**For anyone who is interested in learning more about secularism – an increasingly hot topic in public, political, and religious debate across the globe – here is a collection of the videos covering everything from its definition, to the debates and controversies around secularism today.**

Chapter 1 is about the **definition of secularism**. Meanings abound but this book is about a political approach that combines (i) separation of religious institution from state (ii) max freedom of conscience (iii) no discrimination on religion.



Chapter 2 is about the **development of secularism** in the west and looks particularly at France and the United States. Although both secularisms are of a kind, they have their own distinct flavours.



Chapter 3 is about **secularism outside of the west** and internationally. It’s a mistake to think that secularism is just a western product exported globally. It has ancient roots in Asia and the constitution of modern India is a good example of distinctive secularism. Also: Turkey has \*never\* been a very secular state!



Chapter 4 summarises **the case for secularism**. Secularists say that their way of ordering the state is the best way to maximise: (i) freedom (ii) fairness (iii) peace.



Chapter 5 summarises **the case against secularism**! This is much more diverse than the case for: secularism has theocratic, Marxist, multiculturalist, conservative, nationalistic, and liberal opponents.



Chapter 6 dwells a little bit on the **different conceptions of secularism**: legal, philosophical, eastern, western, constitutional. The secularisms of statecraft and the secularism of campaigners – and more.



Chapter 7 deals with the **debates and controversies** **around secularism** today, from Modi’s India, to France and the US, to Erdogan’s Turkey. Secularism is undermined everywhere and is under threat.