[Buddha-l] secular religion

[curt]

While it is true that the meaning of words is determined by usage - this 
is quite different from saying that any old word can be used any which 
way. And not only that, but there is such a thing as wanting to have 
one's cake and eat it, too.

There is no doubt that secularism arose as a rejection of religion, pure 
and simple. Secularists have made their bed and now they must lie in it 
- which means they have to go to bed without any religion. Maybe after a 
good nights sleep they'll reconsider - but only if they say their 
prayers. Otherwise the boogeyman will get them - and no one will hear 
their screams. Well, OK, we'll hear them - but we'll just turn up the TV.

- Curt

Richard Hayes wrote:
> On Friday 25 August 2006 05:24, Erik Hoogcarspel wrote:
>
>   
>> I did some research after Richards flat denial of my remark about secular
>> religions. 
>>     
>
> I was merely pointing out how the word "secular" has been used in religious 
> literature. It is very common to see references to secular religion, and it 
> yields neither paradox nor oxymoron. I'm sure one could define both words in 
> such a way as to make "secular religion" seem self-contradictory, but there 
> is no need to do that.
>
>