The challenge of secularism to religion: A South African Christian perspective

Abstract

Secularism worldwide poses great challenges to religion. It is as if the gates are open to reject religion. Secularism in many ways challenges the truth, morality, political power and social value provided by religions in general terms. Secularism also tends to promote a society where religion has no role to play in education or state affairs. In some cases it additionally argues for the separation of Church and state and this importantly tends to limit the vital influence of a religion on pressing social and moral issues. The most important challenge however, comes from some scientists who reject a religious understanding of the world. Evolution is regarded as a proven scientific explanation of the present world. Furthermore, religious books such as the Holy Bible are rejected because of the so-called discrepancies and evil descriptions even of God. How should religions react to these challenges? The purpose of this paper is to explain the main implications of secularism. In South Africa, the religious beliefs of many are rejected. Authors of novels, many influential people, and even some theologians who turned away from faith explain that secularism should be embraced. The purpose was to engage these views and explain how religions should react. The method followed in this paper was to conduct a literature study of the main views on secularism from a selection of novelists and ex theologians and to engage with these from a literature study of exponents who, largely from a Christian viewpoint, discuss their responses to these views. The paper then evaluated these ideas and views. The implications are that the purpose of religious beliefs is again made clear and that the value of faith in the present world of secularism is established. Although the answers are not acceptable to all, it is essential to engage secularism in detail.