Atatürk, Religion and Secularism

Abstract

We know that Kemalism is an indivisible whole. Any of the principles and reforms that make up it cannot be superior to the other, nor can it be accepted as none. Because, it is possible to grasp the real meaning of Ataturk's principles and reforms by considering them completely. However, as we will explain below, the principle of secularism has a different feature from the others. Secularism is a general feature in the Turkish Revolution for the establishment of a national, democratic, independent and secular Turkish State. It is a dominant element in the new understanding brought by the revolution. It exists as an understanding and purpose in all reform movements. In this study, we will try to illuminate what is the main feature of the Turkish Revolution, what secularism was adopted by Atatürk for, and what Atatürk thought about religion and secularism in his historical development.