Secularism, The True Philosophy of Life (Annotated): An Exposition and a Defence

by George William Foote, Nicolas Walter (Editor)

Freethinker's Classics, #1. "Secularism is often accused of being atheistic. It is, however, neither atheistic nor theistic. It ignores the problem of God's existence... and confines itself to the practical world of experience, without commending or forbidding speculation on matters that transcend it. Unquestionably many Secularists are Atheists also, but others are Theists, and this shows the compatibility of Secularism with either a positive or a negative attitude towards the hypothesis of a supreme universal intelligence." [from the essay]. In 1890, G.W. Foote (1850-1915) became Charles Bradlaugh's successor as president of the National Secular Society, but this 1879 essay appeared during his breach with Bradlaugh - Foote was expelled from the NSS in 1876 for open opposition to Bradlaugh's leadership, but the two were reconciled in 1880.

27 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

George William Foote was born in Plymouth, England on 11 January 1850. In his youth he became a freethinker through reading and independent thought. When he came to London in 1868 he joined the freethought organisations that were flourishing at the time. Foote was soon lecturing at freethought meetings. Charles Bradlaugh, then the leader of the secularist movement, soon recognised Foote's abilities and allowed him to play an increasingly important role in the British freeethought movement. Foote contributed many articles to Bradlaugh's National Reformer and in 1876 founded his own magazine, The Secularist. This was followed by his major publishing success, The Freethinker, which began in 1881 and is still in existence today.

In 1882 Foote was charged with blasphemy for having published a number of biblical cartoons in The Freethinker. These had been modelled after a series of French cartoons that had appeared earlier. After a series of trials Foote was found guilty in 1883 and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment by Justice North, a Catholic judge. ("The sentence is worthy of your creed," Foote responded.) The Freethinker carried the banner headline "Prosecuted for Blasphemy" during this period, probably increasing its sales.

When Foote was released from prison, he was a hero in freethought circles. He continued writing, lecturing, and editing magazines until Charles Bradlaugh died in 1891. At that time Foote was elected to lead the National Secular Society, founded by Bradlaugh. Foote continued in this role until his death on 17 October 1915.