secularist

This term describes an individual or a perspective focused on the removal of religious authority from public and political spheres. It carries a connotation of intellectual independence and civic neutrality, often appearing in political science and legal discussions regarding the separation of church and state. While the adjective form describes the nature of a policy or belief, the noun form identifies the proponent of these views. It is distinct from atheism, as a secularist may be personally religious but believes that such faith should not dictate public law or governance.