Abstract
In Turkey, the secularization process has continued for over two hundred years without a successful conclusion. While part of the administrative group demands secularization, the other rigorously objects to this process. The main problem examined by this study is the conflict between these two groups. The core factors against secularization and the philosophical, juridical, and religious reasons influencing the process are discussed. The study focuses on past examples to analyze the secularization process. The study examines the main patterns in the process, starting with reflections on Nizam-1 Alem (Order of Universe), the philosophy of the foundation of Ottoman Empire, and the invariance principle. It continues with conclusions of the imperial edict of Gulhane (Tanzimat Fermani); then discussions on differences of civilization and culture in Turkey; and finally Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s beliefs on unique civilization and secularization. As a result, this paper presents the main problems of secularization in today’s Turkey.
Highlights
The secularization process has continued for two hundred years in Turkey
In the wake of summarizing secularism and pietism, we describe the Turkish experience
The principle of secularism was inspired by developments during the Ottoman society to create a modern society in which equality was guaranteed for all citizens without distinction on grounds of religion, denomination, or sex
Summary
The secularization process has continued for two hundred years in Turkey. Along with this secularization process, two groups in Turkey have frequently clashed. While one group defends the idea of secularization, another group, whose thinking can be considered as pietism, strictly rejects this process. Some scholars start this secularization process with the foundation of a Republic on the account that the Ottoman Empire was a theocratic state. There are deep differences among scholars for evaluating this process
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