In Muslim countries the word ‘secular’ is taken with a bit of disdain. Muslims think that a secular person is one who hates religion and does not believe in the existence of God. When some country claims to be secular the Muslims consider the laws of that county contrary to the laws of God . They forget that Islam is the most secular religion in that it does not bar the followers of other religions to perform their rituals in an Islamic state. It rather helps them do so as is manifested by the glorious deeds and philosophy of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) who once offered the Christians to say their prayers in the mosque as no church was situated nearby. As such, secularism means ‘tolerance and forbearance for (the followers of) other religions. Viewed from this angle we may say that secularism is very much close to humanism. In humanism we preach and practise love for all human beings irrespective of their caste, creed, colour and country.
Religion has two aspects: dogmas and morals. Religions differ from one another in their dogmas only while their morals or codes of conduct and ethics are the same. People may differ as to the finality of Hazrat Muhammad PBUH but they will agree that one should not tell lies or that one should keep one’s promises or that the poor should be helped by the rich. Dogmas are only for the chosen few who are blessed with wisdom and knowledge while morals are for every human being who is living in some civilized society. Paradoxically, dogmas have always created repulsion and hatred and have compelled people having different religious beliefs to fight with each other in order to gain hegemony over others. Thus dogmas have always been the cause of strife and war among nations in all times negating and ruthlessly trampling down all morals and ethical norms. So we can safely say that secularism being akin to humanism is the real religion to be followed if we want this world an earthly paradise.

Mansoor,
secularity means that the governing of the state is separated from religion.
Most of the countries in the world are secular, at least officially. Pakistan, اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان, for example, is not secular.

Secularity means that state laws don't define how religious worshipping has to be done or how church is governed. And the rules and principles of some religion won't overrun the common laws.

Islam, as a religion, is no more or less secular than any other. There are countries with state religion both Christian and Muslim.

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I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

That sounded a bit heartfelt aerie1

I find myself pondering whether putting secular on the opposite side of the coin to (religion) [insert Christian, Muslim, whatever, to your liking] is perhaps identifying the conflict a bit wrongly. I am coming to the view that this suggested conflict suits some people.
But what if we, instead, posed that instead of secularism being the religion/philosophy/"rule of life" that guides westernised countries, the real one is consumerism? After all, a more than superficial reading of the christian or muslim texts would suggest that naked consumerism is opposed to many of their teachings. Maybe it is those who want their markets to expand and sales of "Brand 51" to increase who have set up this false confrontation? Maybe Murdoch has filled our minds with the idea that one is either a religious person or a secular person, in order to obscure the real conflict so as to ensure sales and profit in the free market? .
I really can't see secularism as a great threat to those who are religious. But for anybody who cares about the future of this world and of their grandchildren, continued production and consumption is a far bigger threat. Yet many professors of religion continue to live quite happily, somehow, with the cognitive dissonance.

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"The voice of the majority is no proof of justice." - Schiller

Noticed that, did ya intelfam?
I live in the American south. The question, "where do you go to church?" is an acceptable question to ask someone you've just met. There is nothing about "southern pride" that makes me proud. I've abandoned hope for shame & disgust.

As to your excellent & thoughtful comments, I agree. I think it's religion that defines secular humanism as the other side of the coin; their need for absolutes like 'black or white' 'this or that'. No room for the shades of grey where reality lives. Most of us passed that stage of inflexible thinking at age 5 or so.

In the southern Baptist church, I remember 'secularism' and 'humanism' being demonized as the work of Satan (pun). Humanity is evil as a result of our being born sinful humans. Huh? Humanism caused us to reach within ourselves when we need to be reaching out for god. Pastor would rage, red-faced over secularism constantly. 99% of those believers didn't know what these words meant, only that they were evil.

Consumerism. Yes. Capitalism is the real American god. Disguised as morality, patriotism, family values... It's filth.

Cognitive dissonance is requirement for Christians. Why worry about global destruction & human suffering when you know Jesus is coming soon? (As a believer, I used this to justify my huge credit card debt. Ugh.)

I'm not well read yet on the current issues involving unrest in the U.K., but my thoughts & empathy go out to you all.

Intelfam and aerie1, I agree with both of you, I don't beleive in such "stealth settings." It's really wonderful to find you say that when your countries flag those banners. Throughout the internet such voices continiuesly be found that indicate toword a "new age." Anyway I consider myself secular so far.

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*It's wonderful to know that all languages are Greek if not understood.*