Secularism in the Renaissance: A Positive or Negative

Movement?

Topic Question: Evaluate the impacts of secularism during the Renaissance.

11AHI 2022 Ellie Shaw

Secularism was a rising intellectual philosophy that had many impacts during the
Renaissance period (14th C – 17th C). The ideology promoted the separation of civil matters
and religion which can be similarly identified as seeking to remove the influence of religion
in public life. Secularism partly reformed the time period and had several positive and
negative effects including individual expression, shifting cultures, different lifestyles, and
Catholicism being less influential. The major impression of secularism during the
Renaissance was that it was increasingly favoured.

Secularism is the idea that the government and religious institutions should be kept apart. The
philosophy placed a strong focus on being content with life in the minimalisation of religion
and emphasised a more fulfilled lifestyle (Sandra, 2005). The notion of secularism became
prevalent due to favoured, related concepts including humanism and individualism where
people became attentive to the present compared to the afterlife on an account of this human-
centred mindset (Jarus, et al, 2022). These prevailing conditions led secularists to influence
society primarily through literature and art, seen in Sir Thomas More’s book, ‘Utopia’.
Published in 1551, the book depicts religious, political, and social customs in a fictional
society which forwardly encouraged this philosophy (Acuna, et al, 2019). Additionally,
Shakespeare prominently displayed themes and values connected to this philosophical rebirth
including love, revenge, political power, and jealousy. Retrospective artists and writers from
the Middle Age broadly disregarded these secular aspects of life which is apparent within
their works (Atkinson, 2014). Although the loosening of strict religion from human life was
endured, it is not to say religion became absent minded or mediated, instead, it continued to
subjugate much of Renaissance life. However, this plagued outlook on life led people to
esteem science and reason compared to the later, faith and God (De Lamar, 2005).
Secularism reached its heightened maturity towards the end of the Renaissance as an
expansive extent of Western Europe had been exposed to movement (Conn, 2018).

A positive impact of secularism in the Renaissance was the re-introduction of individual

expression, formerly observed in the Classical period. In terms of creation and ideas, this
embraced segregating oneself from a fraternity of people. This
practice was encouraged due to secularism and highly admired,
leading to it becoming popular (Ruvoldt, 2006).
Evidently, familiar artists’ works such as Michelangelo, Lorenzo de
Medici, and Leonardo da Vinci introduced new manifestations
which contributed to people growing attention to these adaptations (Chase, et al, 2022). The
self-portrait as shown in Image 1, was an introduced form of art in which Jan van Eyck
diffused through the early Renaissance period, leading to the formation and stimulation of
similar concepts (Leon, 2021). Individual expression additionally motivated ordinary people
to understand the world better, particularly in political, intellectual, social, and economic
sectors of creation and constructed a more informed society which gave rise to classicism
(Atkinson, 2014). Individual expression was a positive characteristic of secularism as it
progressed humankind, allowed people to establish more personal connections with one
another and accepted people living more freely. This is considered a positive as it developed
people into what we recognise today. This individualistic nature was described as a goal for
those during the Renaissance and as a result of it, many momentous achievements eventuated
(Kim, 2019).

Shifting cultures was a significant, positive impact in relation to secularism. In this instance,
the term ‘shifting cultures’ can be defined as any change or variation in pre-existing traditions
or values (Kambil, 2016). A substantial alteration which occurred thoroughly in Western
Europe was the refinement of architecture. The link between humans and the proportions of
buildings became clear and brought harmony to the municipalities during the Renaissance
evident in the introduction of (the originally, French chateau design), Château d'Amboise
(Zimmermon, 2017). Furthermore, freedom within religion became apparent, in which
varying religious beliefs did not prevent people from living correspondently among one
another (Broomhall, 2006). These adaptations during this time period, sustained a placid
environment in which human achievement defiantly flourished. The separation of civil and
religious matters led many civilisations to enhance their awareness of disparaged cultures.
Moreover, secular music was a further evolution which matured during the Renaissance and
allowed people to absorb additional foreign material and values (Hayward, et al, 1975). This
was achieved by secularism as it worked in the absence of religious themes which were
beforehand, highly prevalent. Progressively, this was a pragmatic turn for people during the
Renaissance as it endorsed the advancement of humankind. This was done through the
transposed worldview presented by the philosophy. Human advancement put forward
newfound technology such as the printing press which accentuated this shift in cultures and
facilitated the ability for people to experience new culture at this time (Dickson, 2017). The
new culture was from all parts of Western Europe. Additionally, the disposition of people and
the understanding of world circumstances in conjunction with an interest in enquiring
knowledge was highlighted, leading to a more literate society (Touseef 2014).

Lifestyles adapted throughout the Renaissance, by becoming more secular and heading the
philosophy as a whole. Although challenging the foregoing ways of life, these changing
lifestyles can be evaluated as a positive impact of secularism. The politics at the time were
regarded as secular republics. These relied on monarchies, princedoms, and oligarchies to
govern the states (Simonetta, 2010). Indisputably, this meant that religion, which was so
formerly relied on, was now disaffiliated from the government. Specifically in the
Renaissance, practices in relation to religion were incorrigibly futile in terms of administering
the municipalities (Simonetta, 2010). Therefore, the change was exceptionally feasible.
Furthermore, modern perceptions of gender roles and secularism put forth men in the public
sphere, with women remaining in the private sphere (Burrows, 2019). This can be juxtaposed
to gender roles within the Renaissance, in which women were undeniably withheld from the
public sphere, tending to husbands, and relying on men as a form of admiration (Cloud 1997).
On that account, it can be identified that although secularism is evidently beneficial, it may
not have had a positive impact for every member of society and that this was a bleak aspect
of this sweeping positive. Despite that, people placed more emphasis on the present in
contrast to the afterlife. In view of the fact that secularism promotes fulfillment, it divulged
meaning to everyday life and instigated increased effort from people into activities and
entertainment (Zimmermon, 2017). Regardless of the lives of those in the Renaissance
already being quite simple, secularism stimulated the depth of existence and the acclimatised
conditions put forth supplemental ideas in the future, sophisticating humankind and paving
the way for contemporary lifestyles.

Catholicism was the predominant form of religion during the Renaissance and was heavily
impacted by the secular philosophy. The Catholic Church insurmountably suffered from this
reformation in society and can be viewed positively and negatively between historical
prospects (Trapp, 2018). Governments did not widely adhere to religious credence’s due to
the secular nature set in motion. This meant religion was far less influential as material and
temporal interests established were much more profound (Peterson, 2000). Being a subjective
abstraction, the somewhat diminishing religion at the time would have been considered in
various ways to the people.
One outlook would have been positive for the non-Catholics in which the reduction of
religious extents allowed them to grasp onto the newfound ventures presented through
secularism (Roberts T, 2017). These ventures include the individualistic identify, the alternate
lifestyles and the ability to experience new culture. In contrast, in a modern-day society,
people are presented with opportunities and have higher engagement to temptations like drug
and alcohol consumption which juxtaposes catholicity beliefs. People's perceptions on man's
relationship to God broadly adjusted and prolific writers such as Jane Austen played on these
ideas even in times following the Renaissance (Bausells, 2016). Austen’s context and
position when writing her works exposes the secular stance she took. In the absence of
religion themes and deeper spiritual statements made in the novel “The Prayers of Jane
Austen”, it forwardly expresses the vulnerable connection presented which vastly doesn’t
correlate to faith. To argue Austen wasn’t a momentous writer who preceded much of
literature’s directions would be subjectively inaccurate.
A secondary perspective was from the Catholics. This angle focused on the changing culture
in a negative aspect. The attitude of secularist’s pulled away the distinctive treatment for
those involved in religious enactments (Conn, 2016). Some strong secularists went
substantially further, contending that the state should be detached from religion and that
religion should be treated as a personal affair for the home and place of worship (Szalay,
2022). Unable to generally approach the philosophy coherently, the Church did not have
many recourses to succumb to (Leveillee, 2011). This is unfavourable for the Catholics.
These points of view in terms of the change in nature of religion were averred during the
Renaissance and determined by the position upheld by the individual. Principally, the rebirth
of secularism and the impact it had upon religion during the Renaissance partly activated the
present-day societies and the influences in which Catholicism holds.

Secularism served as a pathway to and prefaced

contemporary societies. Consequently, an indirect
cause of this growing philosophy was the Scientific
Revolution (Newman, 2016). This preceded much of
the modern world and had a homogenous approach to
understanding nature and its transcendence into human existence (Simons, 2019). Secularism,
fundamentally contributed to by a Polish astronomer, Nicolas Copernicus, gave an (at the
time) unconstitutional theory relating the Earth and conflicted religious ideas which were
upheld. Copernicus although accurate in his heliocentric concept, challenged the perspectives
in the time of the Renaissance and influenced many other distinguished scientists including
Galileo and Isaac Newton (Leveillee, 2011). The rise of secularism is apparent as older
generations are more inclined to believe in God which is shown in modern day society in
Figure 1 (Lozano, 2017). In the absence of this notion, some latter-day events such as the
Industrial Revolution may not have emerged, rendering the current circumstances in which
the world is enduring and experiencing (Luebering, Figure 1: The Rise of Secularism
2011). In saying this however, it is flawed to assume secularism was the solitary mechanism
driving these progressions (Newman, 2016). Furthermore, considering modern democracies,
majority are secular and manage nations excluding religious interferences. A prime instance
of this is India and Australia. Both examples demonstrate how societies can function availing
secularism (Barker, 2015). Decisively, secularism was an essential movement in terms of
developing the foundations for a multitude of present-day abstractions and affairs.

Secularism had several impacts in the Renaissance and was regarded positively and
negatively by the people during this time. The effects endorsed and appended highlight a
surplus of positive stances compared to negative outcomes. These concern the re-introduction
of individual expression, a liberating change in cultures, lifestyle adaptations, free standing
governments, and a prologue into contemporary life. Accordingly, secularism can be
discerned as a beneficial movement for the time of the Renaissance and as a whole.

Bibliography

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- Berlinerblau, Jacques (2021). Secularism: The Basics (1st ed.). Routledge. 

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- Peterson D, Renaissance Quarterly Vol. 53, No. 3 (Autumn, 2000), pp. 835-879 (45 pages)
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https://www.britannica.com/topic/secularism. Accessed 24 August 2022.

- Szalay, J 2022, 'The Renaissance: The 'Rebirth' of Science & Culture | Live

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Activity Log

Date Type of work What did you learn? Useful sources?

completed
Monday 27th of Secondary Humanism was significant in the Renaissance
June research https://online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/7?articleId=425577&q=the
%20renaissance
Wednesday 29th Secondary The spread of the Renaissance through Western Europe
of June research https://study.com/academy/lesson/growth-of-independent-trading-cities-in-the-
renaissance.html
Friday 01st of Secondary The impacts of humanism to the Renaissance
July research
Monday 25th of Secondary The impacts of humanism to the Renaissance
July research
Tuesday 26th of Began planning Further effects of humanism – became the subheadings for the essay
July essay
Wednesday 27th Began writing Examples of specific humanistic impacts
of July essay
Thursday 28th of Wrote Consolidated knowledge into writing introduction
July introduction
Friday 29th of Began writing Humanism
July first paragraph http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1675/copernicus-galileo-and-the-church-science-
in-a-religious-world
Tuesday 02nd of Finished writing Humanism as a broad topic and philosophy
August first paragraph
Thursday 04th of Began writing Further information about the https://www.livescience.com/55230-renaissance.html
August second paragraph Francesco Petrarch: His canzonieres.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Petrarch
Monday 08th of Secondary More impacts of humanism during the Renaissance
August research

Tuesday 09th of Secondary Rational vs scientific humanism + impact on catholic church

August research https://lumensor.weebly.com/religion--non-religion.html
Wednesday 10th Secondary The change of art
of August research www.theartstory.org/definition/renaissance-humanism/
Thursday 11th of Secondary Science + literature during the Renaissance
August research https://www.worldhistory.org/Renaissance_Humanism/
Friday 12th of Wrote third Literature in the Renaissance
August paragraph
Tuesday 16th of Wrote fourth Science in the Renaissance
August paragraph https://www.livescience.com/55230-renaissance.html
Thursday 18th of Restarted: Overview of secularism as a philosophy
August Humanism to
Secularism
Monday 22nd of Researching via Impacts of secularism in the Renaissance
August books in the Secularism: The Basics & Secularism: A Very Short Introduction
library
Tuesday 23rd of Collated books to Secularism: The Basics & Secularism: A Very Short Introduction
August use for research
Wednesday 24th Secondary Impacts of secularism specifically found what became my subheadings; Catholicism,
of August research via shifting cultures, changing lifestyles, and the preface to contemporary societies.
internet
Thursday 25th of Wrote Intro https://www.theburningofrome.com/advices/what-is-individualism-during-the-renaissance/
August
Friday 26th of Wrote paragraph Useful source for the overall philosophy of secularism
August on secularism https://www.britannica.com/topic/secularism
Sunday 28th of Wrote 1000 words Impacts of changing lifestyles + shifting cultures
August https://online.infobase.com/HRC/Search/Details/7?articleId=425577&q=the
%20renaissance
Monday 29th of Wrote 500 words Catholicism in the Renaissance, positive and negative views
August + got feedback on https://theconversation.com/is-australia-a-secular-country + Encountering Religion +
previously written Renaissance: The Beginning of Religious Reform
work
Tuesday 30th of Wrote conclusion Consolidated knowledge and the essay into the conclusion and learnt about how I could fix
August + fixed essay with parts including the thesis statements, correlation of some examples to the position taken
feedback within the paragraph, formatting, and the linking of some paragraphs.
Wednesday 31st Finished Put together collated work into the table and cited all useful sources.
of August bibliography
+ activity log