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Lesson 4 of 5
  • Year 10

Secularism: a desirable way of life?

I can define secularism and describe advantages and disadvantages of secularism.

Lesson 4 of 5
New
New
  • Year 10

Secularism: a desirable way of life?

I can define secularism and describe advantages and disadvantages of secularism.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In a secular society, religion and belief do not impact how society is run.
  2. The principle is that everybody is equal and free to believe or not believe as they wish.
  3. Secularism is not opposed to religion, though many secularists are atheists.
  4. Secularists do not think there should be allowances or distinctions made based on religion.
  5. This could be a contradiction in practice, as freedom of religion implies that religious needs are able to be met.

Keywords

  • Atheist - someone who does not believe in God or any gods

  • Freedom of religion - the right to practise a religion, change religion, or have no religion without interference

  • Pluralism - the belief that many different religions, beliefs, and ways of life can coexist equally in one society

  • Secularism - the principle that religion and belief should not influence how society or government is run

Common misconception

That only atheists support secularism.

Many religious people support secularism as it allows for all religions to be treated equally within a state.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Secularism: a desirable way of life?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Students could research how the principles of secularism have been applied in other countries and create a table to compare the approaches. Countries such as Turkey and the United States could be compared.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

5 Questions

Q1.
Who is the head of the Church of England?

Correct answer: the Monarch
the Pope
the Prime Minister

Q2.
Some people identify as Christian rather than religious.

Correct Answer: culturally, Cultural

Q3.
Non-practising Christians may still believe in ...

Correct Answer: God, god

Q4.
What does ethno-religious mean?

only about ethnicity
only about belief
Correct answer: linked to ethnicity and religion

Q5.
Which Jewish festival is connected with heritage?

Hanukkah
Yom Kippur
Correct answer: Passover

Assessment exit quiz

5 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword to its correct meaning:

Correct Answer:atheist,someone who does not believe in God or any gods

someone who does not believe in God or any gods

Correct Answer:pluralism,different religions, beliefs or ways of life coexisting equally

different religions, beliefs or ways of life coexisting equally

Correct Answer:secularism,religion or beliefs should not influence how society is governed

religion or beliefs should not influence how society is governed

Q2.
What does secularism protect?

one religion
religious law
Correct answer: freedom of belief

Q3.
Who can support secularism?

Correct answer: anyone
atheists only
religious people only

Q4.
Secularism supports equality before the ...

Correct Answer: law, Law

Q5.
Why might secularism be contradictory?

It ignores freedom.
It bans belief.
Correct answer: It limits religious needs.