SECULARISM AND DIFFERING WORLD VIEWS
What Kind of Secular System is Public Education?
Exclusive or Inclusive of Communities with Differing World Views
Hamilton is a society composed of various communities with differing worldviews and value
systems. These worldviews are grounded upon different foundational principles based on religion
(Christianity, Islam, Moslem, Buddhist, Atheist, etc), science, or rational human thinking
(humanism).
If our education system is to be secular, we need to understand what secular means and
identify the foundational principles guiding the decisions being made in our education system.
How does a secular system co-exist with the values and worldviews of the communities of the
larger society that it serves?
There are two common types of secularism - 'secular humanism' and 'secular pluralism'.
Secular Humanism
Secular humanism is a secular philosophy based upon humanistic principles.
Secular Humanists became a significant force in public education after the original Humanist
Manifesto I was published in 1933. John Dewey, " father of progressive education, "
is reputed to have been the author. Public education often reflects secular humanistic
worldview.
Secular humanism was founded upon humanistic and atheistic philosophies and is often identified
as 'without religion'. A secular humanistic worldview is based upon the beliefs outlined in the
Humanist Manifesto l (1933), Humanist Manifesto ll. (1972), and The Secular Humanist Declaration
(1980). The fundamental proclaimed beliefs are:
- That the nature of the universe, as depicted by science, makes unacceptable any
supernatural or cosmic guarantees of human values;
- Morals are rooted in the human experience and that supernatural beliefs are, at best an
irrelevant diversion;
- The universe is regarded as self-existing and not created;
- Man is part of nature and has emerged as part of a continuous process (evolution);
- As there is no life after death, man will take the path of mental hygiene and discourage
sentimental and unreal hopes and wishful thinking;
- Religious institutions, their ritualistic forms, ecclesiastical methods, and communal
activities must be reconstituted as rapidly as possible as experience allows, in order to
function effectively in the modern world;
- This is the only life of which we have certain knowledge and we owe it to ourselves and
others to make the best life possible for ourselves and all those whom share this fragile
planet;
- We find the traditional views of the existence of God either are meaningless, have not
yet been demonstrated to be true, or are tyrannically exploitive. We reject the divinity of
Jesus... Secular Humanism places trust in human intelligence rather than in divine guidance.
Humanist Manifesto II
There is a broader task that all those who believe in democratic secular humanist values will
recognize, namely the need to embark upon a long-term program of public education and
enlightenment concerning the relevance of the secular outlook to the human condition.
Further, the Secular Humanist Declaration (1980) states: " The authors of the first
two manifestos declare that humanism is a religion and the manifestos are their 'theses of
religious humanism ". In other words... their doctrine. The Supreme Court of the
United States in Torches vs. Watkins, 1961, upheld the view that secular humanism
is a religion.
When other religious guidelines (that were used to help us make decisions about
curriculum) were removed, the default value system was secular humanism where decisions
are made strictly upon rational human thought. If public education is operating, intentionally
or by default, upon secular humanistic principles, and this philosophy is singularly imposed
upon all families from the various culture and belief system communities of Hamilton, it could
be legally argued that such a system is discriminatory and in contravention of Regulation 298
(Section 28, 29) of the Education Act. In the opinion of the families represented by PACE, the
operating philosophy of our education system appears to be secular humanism; if so, the Board
of Education is giving primacy to one religion. This is not inclusive and/or accommodating of
people who possess other value systems and worldviews.
Secular Pluralism- The new secular philosophy
A system operating under secular pluralism is not under the control of any religion or singular
belief system, nor does it give primacy to any religion, but is representative, respectful,
and accommodating of the various cultures, faiths and world-views of the different communities
within its jurisdiction.
The Centre for Cultural Renewal, a highly regarded Ottawa-
based think-tank that advises government and courts on social and philosophical issues and trends,
has identified that secular philosophy is evolving. Companies, corporations and pubic
institutions are responding to the expressed concerns that their operating principles lead to
moral decisions and actions that are in conflict with the values and belief system of their
workers. The type of secularism emerging in Canadian society today is identified as
secular pluralism.
This definition is an inclusive, secularly principled model that positively reflects
our multi-cultural multi-faith society.
The Ontario College of Teachers' / Ministry of Education's 'Standards of Practice
in the Teaching Profession's expectations reflect a secular pluralistic approach to education.
Members of the Ontario College of Teachers:
- understand and use a range of teaching methods to address learning, spiritual and cultural
differences and family situations;
- help students to appreciate their own identity, to learn more about their cultural history
and to build self-esteem;
- accommodate for the differences in students and respect their diversity;
- help students to connect their learning to their own life experiences and spiritual
understandings;
- establish safe and supportive learning environments.
|
