{"id":12807,"date":"2025-09-11T20:40:23","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T18:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/?p=12807"},"modified":"2025-09-17T20:55:42","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T18:55:42","slug":"differences-in-meanings-and-the-dispute-over-definitions-enlightenment-secularism-and-liberalism-by-hossam-badrawi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/differences-in-meanings-and-the-dispute-over-definitions-enlightenment-secularism-and-liberalism-by-hossam-badrawi\/","title":{"rendered":"Differences in Meanings and the Dispute over Definitions Enlightenment, Secularism, and Liberalism By Hossam Badrawi"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Differences in Meanings and the Dispute over Definitions<\/h3>\n

Enlightenment, Secularism, and Liberalism
\nBy Hossam Badrawi<\/em><\/p>\n

A mere difference in defining a word\u2014without knowing its origin, or by submitting to an ideological or religious interpretation\u2014can lead to disasters, unless one\u2019s mind and heart remain open to understanding first, and to seeking the meanings and definitions of terms second, before concluding whether there is disagreement or not. And even if there is, such disagreement should not sever the bonds of affection or communication.<\/p>\n

A young man once asked me: \u201cDoctor, which words are most frequently misunderstood?\u201d<\/em>
\nI said: \u201cThree come to mind: Enlightenment, Liberalism, and Secularism.\u201d<\/em>
\nHe said: \u201cCould you explain?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

I replied: Before I explain, let me remind you that the name is not the most important element in revealing the truth. If you called a rose by any other name, it would still smell just as sweet and look just as beautiful. What matters is the meaning that the name holds in your minds\u2014this is what gives words their weight. For me, when I look at Egyptian society, I see it as secular, liberal, and enlightened, according to the definitions of these terms as I understand them. But the political Islamist current has managed to distort these words from their original philosophy, making \u201cliberal,\u201d \u201cenlightened,\u201d \u201csecular,\u201d and \u201ccivil\u201d synonymous with \u201catheist,\u201d \u201cimmoral,\u201d or \u201cgodless\u201d to those who do not dig deeper. The truth, of course, is the exact opposite. Let us look at the real meanings.<\/p>\n

Enlightenment<\/strong> refers to an intellectual, cultural, and philosophical movement that arose in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe, preceded by Andalusia, advocating rationality and logic, and calling for the empowerment of reason as the primary source of knowledge, along with ideals such as freedom, progress, and tolerance, and the separation of religious institutions from the political administration of the state.<\/p>\n

The philosopher Immanuel Kant explained the meaning of enlightenment in his essay \u201cDare to Know.\u201d<\/em> He described it as humanity\u2019s emergence from immaturity into maturity. He defined human immaturity as blind dependence on others and the inability to think independently or make decisions without consulting a guardian. Hence his call: \u201cHave the courage to use your own reason.\u201d<\/em> His enlightenment cry was for people to use their minds, to refuse blind obedience to political leaders or religious figures, and to live actively, positively, and thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

Secularism<\/strong> (from saeculum<\/em>, meaning worldly or temporal) is the intellectual approach that human interaction with life should be based on worldly foundations governed by a constitution agreed upon by people\u2014not by clerical interpretations of holy texts. Secularism separates religion from the governance of the state, but it neither rejects nor forbids religion.<\/p>\n

Its opponents often misrepresent it as atheism, equating the call for separating religion from politics with denying God\u2019s existence. This is a distortion intended to stir emotions and rally people against a political idea by framing it as a religious threat. Extremists across religions have always done this, seeking power and control by claiming absolute truth.<\/p>\n

This is the same error made by some opponents of Islam, who describe it as a religion of terrorism simply because some Muslims commit acts of terror\u2014just as extremists in Christianity once did\u2014though both religions are, in essence, faiths of peace and compassion.<\/p>\n

Liberalism<\/strong> is a political philosophy founded on ideas of freedom and equality: freedom of speech, press, religion, civil rights, and free markets. It rejects the rule of church by divine right or the absolute obedience demanded by religious caliphates.<\/p>\n

The philosopher John Locke is often credited with founding this philosophy, with his emphasis on each person\u2019s natural rights to life, liberty, choice, and property.<\/p>\n

Liberalism, secularism, and civic governance share a commitment to preventing the use of religion for political gain. Their foundation is respect for all citizens\u2019 beliefs, recognizing that religion is a personal relationship between the individual and God. A state cannot have a religion; rather, it governs citizens of various faiths equally. In Egypt, for example, Islam is the religion of the majority, but minorities have different beliefs\u2014yet all must enjoy equal rights and bear equal responsibilities.<\/p>\n

Indeed, respect for religion and freedom of belief is a core liberal principle, and I affirm it is also an authentic Islamic principle, contrary to what extremists propagate. No liberal state can impose religion on its citizens. The Qur\u2019an itself affirms freedom of belief:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \u201cThe truth is from your Lord; let him who wills believe, and let him who wills disbelieve.\u201d<\/em> (18:29)<\/li>\n
  • \u201cAnd had your Lord willed, all the people on earth would have believed\u2014all of them entirely. Then, would you compel the people in order that they become believers?\u201d<\/em> (10:99)<\/li>\n
  • \u201cO mankind! We created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another.\u201d<\/em> (49:13)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Is this not, in itself, respect for diversity and freedom of belief?<\/p>\n

    Economically, classical liberalism<\/strong> advocates free markets and minimal state intervention. Yet social liberalism<\/strong>\u2014which I embrace\u2014supports partial state intervention in the economy, striking a balance between extreme capitalism and extreme leftism. It emphasizes the state\u2019s role in providing social rights such as education and healthcare, ensuring justice, equality, and freedom, and safeguarding security and sovereignty.<\/p>\n

    This philosophy, often called liberalism of social justice<\/strong> or the welfare state<\/strong>, obliges governments to build capacities and ensure equal opportunities. It upholds the right to work and fair wages as equally fundamental as the right to property.<\/p>\n

    However, state intervention in the economy must have limits, recognizing the private sector\u2019s primary role in development, investment, and job creation\u2014not as a government favor, but as a philosophical right to economic freedom. Experience has shown that when the state monopolizes ownership of production without accountability, as under communism, it destroys individual initiative, stifles freedom, and achieves only equality in poverty and corruption.<\/p>\n

    From these definitions, it becomes clear that the disputes, takfir (accusations of disbelief), and attacks against advocates of a civil state, secularism, or liberalism are not about religion at all. They are about political systems of governance.<\/strong> Religion is for God, and the homeland is for all.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Differences in Meanings and the Dispute over Definitions Enlightenment, Secularism, and Liberalism By Hossam Badrawi A mere difference in defining a word\u2014without knowing its origin, or by submitting to an ideological or religious interpretation\u2014can lead to disasters, unless one\u2019s mind and heart remain open to understanding first, and to seeking the meanings and definitions of …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12803,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[208,103,16,197],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2025-collective-articles","category-all-articles","category-articles-by-dr-badrawi","category-translated-articles"],"yoast_head":"\nDifferences in Meanings and the Dispute over Definitions Enlightenment, Secularism, and Liberalism By Hossam Badrawi - Dr. Hossam Badrawi<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/differences-in-meanings-and-the-dispute-over-definitions-enlightenment-secularism-and-liberalism-by-hossam-badrawi\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Differences in Meanings and the Dispute over Definitions Enlightenment, Secularism, and Liberalism By Hossam Badrawi - 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He is the former head of the Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine Cairo University. He conducted his post graduate studies from 1979 till 1981 in the United States. He was elected as a member of the Egyptian Parliament and chairman of the Education and Scientific Research Committee in the Parliament from 2000 till 2005. As a politician, Dr. Hossam Badrawi was known for his independent stances. His integrity won the consensus of all people from various political trends. During the era of former president Hosni Mubarak he was called The Rationalist in the National Democratic Party NDP because his political calls and demands were consistent to a great extent with calls for political and democratic reform in Egypt. He was against extending the state of emergency and objected to the National Democratic Party's unilateral constitutional amendments during the January 25, 2011 revolution. 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He is the former head of the Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine Cairo University. He conducted his post graduate studies from 1979 till 1981 in the United States. He was elected as a member of the Egyptian Parliament and chairman of the Education and Scientific Research Committee in the Parliament from 2000 till 2005. As a politician, Dr. Hossam Badrawi was known for his independent stances. His integrity won the consensus of all people from various political trends. During the era of former president Hosni Mubarak he was called The Rationalist in the National Democratic Party NDP because his political calls and demands were consistent to a great extent with calls for political and democratic reform in Egypt. He was against extending the state of emergency and objected to the National Democratic Party's unilateral constitutional amendments during the January 25, 2011 revolution. He played a very important political role when he defended, from the very first beginning of the revolution, the demonstrators' right to call for their demands. He called on the government to listen and respond to their demands. Consequently and due to Dr. Badrawi's popularity, Mubarak appointed him as the NDP Secretary General thus replacing the members of the Bureau of the Commission. During that time, Dr. Badrawi expressed his political opinion to Mubarak that he had to step down. He had to resign from the party after 5 days of his appointment on February 10 when he declared his political disagreement with the political leadership in dealing with the demonstrators who called for handing the power to the Muslim Brotherhood. Therefore, from the very first moment his stance was clear by rejecting a religion-based state which he considered as aiming to limit the Egyptians down to one trend. He considered deposed president Mohamed Morsi's decision to bring back the People's Assembly as a reinforcement of the US-supported dictatorship. He was among the first to denounce the incursion of Morsi's authority over the judicial authority, condemning the Brotherhood militias' blockade of the Supreme Constitutional Court. Dr. Hossam supported the Tamarod movement in its beginning and he declared that toppling the Brotherhood was a must and a pressing risk that had to be taken few months prior to the June 30 revolution and confirmed that the army would support the legitimacy given by the people","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/hossambadrawi\/","https:\/\/x.com\/HossamBadrawi"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12807","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12807"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12807\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12811,"href":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12807\/revisions\/12811"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12807"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12807"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hossambadrawi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}