SECULARISM. Technically the philosophy of naturalism advocated since the nineteenth century, first in England and then elsewhere. It is a closed system that affirms that human existence and destiny are fully explainable in terms of this world without reference to eternity. On its social side, secularism promotes the advancement of humanity's lot in this life, and charges Christianity with indifference to poverty and suffering because of its alleged preoccupation with God and the life to come.