English Secularism

royed until it h

me de

with Comte, to learn for me the authorship of the phrase. Comte answered that it was the Emperor's (Napoleon III.

the guidance of man, next sought to ascertain what rules human reason may s

ays knowledge, men would be wise without inquiry, and explanations would be unnecessary. The term Secularism was chosen to express the extension of free thought to ethics. Free

ng "the term Secularism as including a large number of persons who are not atheists and uniting them for action, which has Secularism for its objec

considerations purely human, and intended mainly for those who fi

al principl

nt of this life

s the available**

e other good or not, the good of the present l

inus said, "I seek

." It would be true

injured by the tru

hy do we h

suggestion of my f

t 1854. I afterw

oes not deny, nor c

eological Providen

ot incited to as

material resource

a spiritual Provi

hest aim of man, whether regard be had to human welfare in this life or persona

hinkers, (1886), an account of the tenets of the English party

ues of which can be tested by

se of aggression against hurtful or irritating error, or the caprice of a restless mind, is to be encouraged. It is necessary to promote independent thought-whatever its manner of manifestation-sinc

perstition of its standing-ground and compels theism to reason for its existence. The other force is mat

nosticism implies

ness with

ither asserting nor denying theism or a future life, having no sufficient reason to give if called upon; the fact remains that material influences exist, vast and available for good, as men have the will and wit to employ them. Whatever may be the value of metaphysical or theological theories of morals, utility in conduct i