"From very necessity, Secularism is affirmative and constructive; it is impossible to thoroughly negate any falsehood without making more or less clear the opposing truth."*
* "Secularism: What Is It?" National Secular Society's
Tracts—No. 7. By Charles Bradlaugh.
Again:
"Secularism conflicts with theology in this: that the Secularist teaches the improvability of humanity by human means; while the theologian not only denies this, but rather teaches that the Secular effort is blasphemous and unavailing unless preceded and accompanied by reliance on divine aid."*
Mrs. Besant said:
"Still we have won a plot of ground—men's and women's hearts. To them Secularism has a message; to them it brings a rule of conduct; to them it gives a test of morality, and a guide through the difficulties of life. Our morality is tested only—be it noted—by utility in this life and in this world."**
Mr. Foote was not less discerning and usefully explicit, saying:
"Secularism is founded upon the distinction between the things of time and the things of eternity.... The good of others Secularism declares to be the law of morality; and although certain theologies secondarily teach the same doctrine, yet they differ from Secularism in founding it upon the supposed will of God, thus admitting the possibility of its being set aside in obedience to some other equally or more imperative divine injunction."***
* "Why Are We Secularists?" National Secular Society's
Tracts—No. 8. By Charles Bradlaugh.
** "Secular Morality." National Secular Society's Tracts—
No. 3. By Annie Besant.
*** Secularism and Its Misrepresentation, by G. W. Foote,
who subsequently succeeded Mr. Bradlaugh as President of the
National Secular Society.
For several years the National Reformer bore the subtitle of "Secular Advocate."