Atheist Nexus

The World’s Largest Coalition of Nontheists and Nontheist Communities!

French-style Secularism in decline in ... The Middle East?

I stumbled upon a blog post by Walter Russell Mead (writing for The American Interest) that mentions different forms of secularism developed by several Europe (and American) cultures.

 

French secularism dies in the Middle East

 

According to Mead, French anti-clerical secularism is the most aggressive form of secularism to emerge from the group of post-revolutionary nations. Take for evidence the ongoing controversy about the French outlawing the wearing of Muslim head scarves in public by women.

What made the article so thought provoking for me was that Mead claims that it was this French-style anti-clerical version of secularism that inspired a number of Muslim visionaries to attempt to bring their countries into the Modern World in the 20th century. He uses the examples of the Turkey at the turn of the 20th century, Lebanon, the Baathist movement, and others.

For me there are a number of questions that come from Mead's article: How many American secularists (including atheists) do or would have considered Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon as model examples of the way things should be in the Middle East? If these secular societies are crumbling, why have they failed? If atheists want to reduce the influence of religion in the United States, what aspects of these secular middle eastern regimes should be adopted to enforce an more secular agenda in the United States? Would you support an anti-clerical secular movement in the US?

 

Tags: Arab, France, Turkey, secularism

Views: 18

Reply to This

Support Nexus

Click to Buy Amazon items and help A|N

Advertisements

Heathen's Guide

Skeptic Money

Sex and God

Humanistic Judaism

Your Ad Here

Helpful Items

 

Search Atheist Nexus:
Translate page:

 

Social Networking Links:
 

Latest Activity

Joseph Edwards VIII liked Karley Johnston's group Missouri Atheists
2 minutes ago
jay H replied to matthew greenberg's discussion Westboro Baptist must be making an impression
3 minutes ago
Joseph Edwards VIII posted a blog post
4 minutes ago
Joseph Edwards VIII replied to Atheist Andrea's discussion Are you open about being an atheist or are you in the closet?
8 minutes ago
Joseph P replied to George S.'s discussion Closing arguments Thursday in Pa. priest sex abuse trial in the group Atheist News
13 minutes ago
Tammy S commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
14 minutes ago
Ruth Anthony-Gardner replied to Ruth Anthony-Gardner's discussion Much better than a wheelchair in the group Hang With Friends
16 minutes ago
Chris Z commented on Katherine's group Vegetarian/Vegan Atheists
16 minutes ago
Wiley Coyote replied to Marc Green's discussion Affordable Care Act - Informal Poll
18 minutes ago
Steph S. commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
21 minutes ago
Jess posted photos
37 minutes ago
Jessica added a discussion to the group Godless Gamers
1 hour ago
Tammy S commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
1 hour ago
abraha tekleab amanuel commented on Stephanie Chiller's photo
2 hours ago
Chris G replied to Sentient Biped's discussion Learning to Embrace Climate Change in the group Eco-Logical: A Group for Environmentalists
2 hours ago
abraha tekleab amanuel replied to Atheist Andrea's discussion Are you open about being an atheist or are you in the closet?
2 hours ago
booklover commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
2 hours ago
Steph S. commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
3 hours ago
sk8eycat replied to Steph S.'s discussion Rattlesnake Kills Pentecostal Pastor in the group Hang With Friends
3 hours ago
Bill A commented on Eric Tyler Powell's blog post Hitchens Takes on Fox News on Jerry Falwell
3 hours ago

© 2012   Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: Brother Richard.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service