Laicist

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person who advocates for the exclusion of religious influence from public affairs and government institutions
2. A person who champions the principle of secularism by opposing the integration of religious elements in governmental and societal functions
3. One who supports keeping religion separate from government and public institutions

Etymology: "Laicist" is a plain formation: the adjective "laic," meaning relating to the laity (lay people as opposed to the clergy), with the suffix "-ist," which marks a person who holds or supports a particular doctrine or principle. Put together, a laicist is someone who supports the principle of laicism, the removal of religious authority from public life. "Laic" itself comes from the Late Latin "laicus," which in turn came from Greek "laikos," meaning "of the people," from "laos," "people." The sense of "lay" as opposed to clerical is what gives the root its religious colouring, so the word carries the older idea of ordinary people set apart from ordained clergy. Adding "-ist" turned that religious distinction into a political position: someone who wants public institutions and government kept free of religious influence.

Synonyms: secularist