Laikliks

Laikliks refers to secularism as it is understood in Turkish-speaking contexts, describing the principle that religion and the state operate in distinct spheres. The term captures how governments organize public life to be neutral toward religious matters while protecting freedom of belief for individuals.

Historically, laikliks emerged from broader Enlightenment ideas about the separation of church and state and were adapted in different regions during modernization processes. In Turkey, laiklik was institutionalized through reforms that reduced religious influence in government, education, and civil affairs, aiming to create a state based on civil law rather than religious authority. In other countries, secularism can take different forms, ranging from strict state supervision of religious institutions to a more permissive model that allows religious influence in public life while preserving neutral public institutions.

Key elements commonly associated with laikliks include state neutrality in religious matters, equal treatment of all citizens regardless of belief, and the protection of individual conscience. Public education, civil law, and government services are typically designed to function independently of any religious authority, though practices vary by country. Debates around laikliks often focus on the balance between religious freedom and secular public life, the place of religious symbols in public institutions, and how to accommodate minority beliefs within a secular framework.

Across the world, laikliks interact with local legal traditions, cultural norms, and political dynamics. Some nations emphasize strict separation between religion and state, while others allow limited religious influence in public life within a secular system. The term remains a reference point in discussions of church-state relations and civil rights.