What secularism is

soontobe It must be obvious that bags is using the word suppression in its commonest and clearest way. What she is saying is that states, such as the Soviet Union, which actively prevent the practice of religion and may even persecute believers with the intention of ending religious belief by force, are not secular in the way described in the OP, but are anti-religious. China's suppression of Buddhism in Tibet is another example.

Although you may be right about thatbags, I do not know her well enough to be able to say that myself.
And you cannot possibly answer on behalf of everyone that is in favour of secularism. Can you?

I could post some links of the many definitions of the word suppress.

I was replying about the meaning of a word about which I am fairly confident that I am correct. That was what you were querying but if you don't trust me, try a dictionary.

I was asking thatbags which definition of the word she was using. Not absent. Unless you are both the same poster?

There are a variety of different definitions absent.

There may be several parts to the definition of "to suppress" but they are all essentially the same- to curb, inhibit , put down by force, or prevent the dissemination of (information) so I wonder which definition you are referring to soontobe. And isn't this all a red herring anyway as a secular state is NOT one which suppresses religion so why raise an "Aunt Sally" just to shoot it down?
One of the first things in a discussion/ argument is to "define your terms" so it helps when both parties are talking about the same thing .

I thought a lot of posters dont like links, so I didnt put any.
Also, I thought a lot of posters like to google themselves, so again I didnt put links.

But if you insist!

Secularism is not, repeat not, in favour of suppressing religion

This is rather a central point to thatbags, it would seem, which is why I am addressing it.

a secular state is NOT one which suppresses religion

and you Soutra are using the exact same point, so off to link I will go.

www.thefreedictionary.com/suppression

dictionary.reference.com/browse/suppress

Actually, I realise that I can go on and on with links.

You can give all the links you like but can you explain in what way they fundamentally differ from each other?

Everyone can read.

Soontobe
This is getting silly!
The accepted view by most of the posters is that there is a difference between states that suppress religions, and those that separate the state and religion!
In the second, the state is not influenced by any religious people or beliefs!

I have made my own points. I dont think that they need repitition.

But they are <whisper it> irrelevant. <shakes head in despair>

The second ends up being suppression, just using a different route. It uses the curb and inhibit method.

Cannot follow your reasoning, soontobe in the context of the discussion.

The separation of state and religion does not suppress religion - it upholds the freedom of all people to practice the religion of their choice.

It does not curb nor inhibit religion.

Goes to bed, shaking head in despair at illogical posters!

Night night galen!

"Curb and inhibit method". - what on earth are you talking about? These are indeed synonyms of "suppress" so WHAT on earth do you think this is leading to and *how could thatbags be using an "alternative " definition?

Not following your reasoning either

Sorry about shouty bold -forgot the second *. !

What on earth is going on? Someone been putting too much sherry in the trifle? [grun]

like me???

The end from me too.

The teaching about a religion is surely the responsibility of that religion's leaders/priests/elders etc .

Governments should not prefer /promote any one religion/faith/non-faith.

Schools, in a secular state, should not teach or promote a religion but about religions & belief/non-belief.

I do not believe a secular state in any way threatens the continuance, or growth, of any particular religion.

Does anyone recall doing nativity plays in their primary school? I don't but I do remember doing so at Sunday school.