Principles of Secularism

Published in 1871, 'Principles of Secularism' by George J. Holyoake is a foundational text outlining the concept of secularism, which he defined as the separation of church and state in all aspects of life. Holyoake, an English secularist and newspaper editor, discusses the advantages of secular education and society, while also emphasizing the qualities necessary for members of a secular guild amidst the persecution faced by freethinkers. This pamphlet is notable for its early articulation of secularist principles and its historical context in the fight for religious freedom.