ecularism tells all children to do the best they can for their
parents--to discharge every duty and every obligation. It defines
the relation that should exist between husband and wife; between
parent and child; between the citizen and the Nation. And not only
that, but between nations.

Secularism is a religion that is to be used everywhere, and at all
times--that is to be taught everywhere and practiced at all times.
It is not a religion that is so dangerous that it must be kept out
of the schools; it is not a religion that is so dangerous that it
must be kept out of politics. It belongs in the schools; it belongs
at the polls. It is the business of Secularism to teach every
child; to teach every voter. It is its business to discuss all
political problems, and to decide all questions that affect the
rights or the happiness of a human being.

Orthodox religion is a firebrand; it must be kept out of the schools;
it must be kept out of politics. All the churches unite in saying
that orthodox religion is not for every day use. The Catholics
object to any Protestant religion being taught to children.
Protestants object to any Catholic religion being taught to
children. But the Secularist wants his religion taught to all;
and his religion can produce no feeling, for the reason that it
consists of facts--of truths. And all of it is important; important
for the child, important for the parent, important for the politician
--for the President--for all in power; important to every legislator,
to every professional man, to every laborer and every farmer--that
is to say, to every human being.

The great benefit of Secularism is that is appeals to the reason
of every man. It asks every man to think for himself. It does
not threaten punishment if a man thinks, but it offers a reward,
for fear that he will not think. It does not say, "You will be
damned in another world if you think." But it says, "You will be
damned in this world if you do not think."

Secularism preserves the manhood and the womanhood of all. It says
to each human being: "Stand upon your own feet. Count one!
Examine for yourself. Investigate, observe, think. Express your
opinion. Stand by your judgment, unless you are convinced you are
wrong, and when you are convinced, you can maintain and preserve
your manhood or womanhood only by admitting that you were wrong."

It is impossible that the whole world should agree on one creed.
It may be