An early example of secularism in British politics: Pitt the Younger

I have been reading - very slowly - William Hague's biography of William Pitt the Younger. Pitt the Younger was prime minister during the 18th century, and someone who enjoyed an enviable reputation as a Parliamentary debater. Pitt the Younger is an outstanding figure in British political history. [The adventures of a general election in the 18th century as described by William Hague make the more recent allegations with regard to "cash for honours" look quite small fry; the expenditure of money, some of it the Treasury's money, and the distribution of honours were the ordinary campaigning strategy of those who enjoyed the King's support.]

During the earlier years of Pitt the Younger's parliamentary career, one of his political allies was William Wilberforce. It has been interesting to read of Pitt's reaction when Wilberforce became an evangelical Christian. Wilberforce wrote to Pitt explaining this change in his life, and pointing out that it would mean he would in future be less of a "party" man in politics and more someone who referred to his Christian principles. Here is part of Pitt's reply, as recorded by William Hague. Pitt has just affirmed that his friendship for Wilberforce will continue unabated.

You will not suspect me of thinking lightly of any moral or religious motives which guide you. As little will you believe that I think your understanding or judgement easily misled. But forgive me if I cannot help expressing my fear that you are nevertheless deluding yourself into principles which have but too much tendency to counteract your own object, and to render your virtues and your talents useless both to yourself and to mankind.

Pitt goes on to seek a meeting with Wilberforce, urging him to explain fully his new found position and its implications for his future life.

..if you will open to me fairly the whole state of your mind on these subjects, tho' I shall venture to state to you fairly the points where I fear we may differ, and to desire you to re-examine your own ideas where I think you are mistaken.

Pitt and Wilberforce did meet, and William Hague records Wilberforce's account of the meeting:

He tried to reason me out of my convictions, but soon found himself unable to combat their correctness, if Christianity were true. The fact is, he was so absorbed in politics, that he had never given himself time for due reflection on religion.

The interesting points of note are :

1. Pitt the Younger appears to be explicitly secularist in the sense that he appears both to lack any strong religious conviction of his own and to be unable to conceive how religious conviction should be carried into political activity (see his anxieties with regard to Wilberforce's ability being no longer of use to himself or to mankind)

2. the underlying source of Pitt's secularism appears to be indifference rather than explicit anti-religious feeling.

The significance for our own times is that, while there are some campaigners who are secularist by conviction, the majority of politicians and members of the public are probably going along with a practical secularism through indifference, rather like Pitt the Younger. But it is this indifference that lets secularism gain a hold in society ....