If the articles I have written on secularism since the 1970s were strung together (just exaggerating), they would reach Baghdad. My life has been spent battling Islamist writers. Since there are no records for the year 2000, I looked at 2001: On September 2, 2001, I published an article titled 'Is Secularism Going to Be Lost?'

On September 9, 2003, I published another article in Hürriyet titled 'Secularist Recep Tayyip Erdoğan'. You will be surprised when you read it:

[The incident started with the September 4 issue of Hürriyet newspaper: 'We want to join secular Europe!' R.T. Erdoğan, arguing that religion should not enter the European Constitution, speaks like a true Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey: 'Secularism has played a major role in the development of Europe,' he states.

The next day, Radikal quoted from an interview given by R.T. Erdoğan to La Republica newspaper before his trip to Italy: 'Religion should not enter the EU constitution. Turkey wants to join a secular EU. Because secularism has always been one of the fundamental rights that have played a role in the development of the old continent, and modern society must be based on secular principles.'

'Christian constitution will bury the EU in history.' Prime Minister Erdoğan, stating that references to Christian values in the EU Constitution would limit communication with other cultures, said, 'Civilizations trapped in dogmatic thinking throughout history have perished.' (Yeni Şafak, 07.09.03)]

R.T. Erdoğan can be more radical 'secular' than I am when it suits him, but otherwise, he is the enemy of secularism. I have no business with R.T.E. on secularism. Because when it comes to Islam, secularism has no place in his life, not even as much as a (sesame) seed.

***

'The respectful secularism towards beliefs' that the AKP implements is 'Islamist secularism.' Now you might ask, 'Can there be Islamist secularism?' Just as there cannot be Islamist secularism, there cannot be 'respectful secularism,' nor mild, strong, moderately sweet, less sweet, or sweet secularism. It is wrong, whether it comes from the mouth of Bülent Ecevit or the new chairman of the CHP.

The French summarize their understanding of secularism as follows: "Secularism is based on three principles: Freedom of conscience, freedom to express opinions within the limits of respect for public order, separation of public institutions and religious organizations, and equality before the law for everyone, regardless of beliefs and opinions."

Unlike French secularism, which must protect the state from the potentially harmful influence of churches, American secularism will primarily aim to protect churches against the authoritarian clutches of the state.

Özdemir İnce's definition: 'Secularism protects the individual and society from the pressure and evil of religion and clergymen, besides separating religion from state affairs. This definition is close to the French definition.'

Secularism means democracy, they are inseparable: Where there is no democracy, there is no secularism; where there is no secularism, there is no democracy in that country, that land. Therefore, if we say 'respectful secularism towards beliefs,' we must say 'respectful democracy towards beliefs.' 'Democracy disrespectful to beliefs', 'secularism disrespectful to beliefs' - how can this be?

Secularism is a principle of freedom, the freedom to believe or not to believe. It is the foundation of our society and schools, which should protect students from ideological, economic, and religious propaganda. In a secular country, religious dogmas do not form the basis of laws; laws are made by reason, taking into account the characteristics of society. In secular country schools, teaching benefits not from the dogmas of religion but from experience, science, and the principles of reason. There is no place for religion in secular schools.

The AKP, while trampling on the secular constitution and secular laws and transforming secular schools into neighborhood schools and madrasas, takes advantage of a deliberate 'respectful secularism towards beliefs' nonsense. Secularism does not respect or love any religion or belief; it is insensitive and emotionless like a granite rock against all of them. That's why it's fair and impartial.

For Turks who really want to learn what real secularism is, I will give the name of a writer and a book: Henri Pena-Ruiz, What is Secularism? (trans. Ümran Derkunt, Gendaş Publishing, 2007) Those who know French should also check Wikipedia.