secularisten

Secularisten, or secularists, are individuals or groups that advocate secularism—the principle that government institutions and public life should be neutral regarding religion and belief. They argue that public policy should be guided by secular reasoning and universal rights rather than religious doctrine, and they defend freedom of conscience and equality before the law for people of all beliefs and for non-believers.

Historically, secularism emerged from Enlightenment liberalism and has taken different forms in various countries. In some places, secularists push for the complete separation of church and state; in others, for neutrality of the state in matters of religion (for example, laïcité in France). The term is used broadly, from freethought advocates to liberal reformers who seek to reduce religious influence on public institutions such as schools, courts, and government funding decisions.

Goals and activities commonly associated with secularisten include advocacy for secular education, equal treatment of all citizens by law regardless of religious affiliation, and state neutrality in public services and symbols. They may engage in public debate, legal challenges, or activism aimed at policy changes that minimize religious privilege in the public sphere.

Critics argue that aggressive secularism can limit religious expression or minority rights, while supporters contend that state neutrality protects individual freedom and prevents sectarian conflict. The label "secularisten" thus covers a spectrum of positions, from moderate to strongly anti-clerical, depending on country and context.

See also: Secularism; Separation of church and state; Laïcité; Freethought.