Reductionism Rampant

Interesting point. Particularly when coupled with a crumbling of institutions, I can see why those in favor of conserving religious influence and practice would view this as a sort of militant ideology.

Yes, secularism as separation of church and state, as you say, is a net good. However, secularism, when forced as an ideology as sometimes happens today in universities, for example, is a form of totalitarianism. And the worst examples of human behavior (murder and slaughter on the scale of millions) has happened only when all religion has been removed forcibly by the government. Stalin, Pol Pot, and Mao as three examples.

There are "norms" established by people in positions of authority in Universities, Private Industry and Government that are not always respectful to people with different strongly held religious beliefs or a lack of religious belief. With roughly 4500 Universities and Colleges in this country, I'm certain we could find antidotal evidence to show leaders of almost every religious persuasion and none, failing to give proper consideration and respect to people who believe differently. Religion or a lack of religion doesn't magically erase the human desire for power or greed, although it is sometimes used to rationalize evil.

Capt Nick S - My two younger children attended UVA, which is an outstanding public school. Both were challenged and "cautioned" by faculty (Biology in one case) to avoid mentioning God or divine provenance, or the concept of inalienable rights given to us by our creator. My daughter joined a Christian group but quickly left it after her dorm-mates told her she would make herself non-competitive for fellowships and grant work if her religious beliefs became known. She was never burned at the stake or subjected to torture, but when the pressure is constant and lasts four years, you comply with the "acceptable" ideology or you lose the race. I don't know if my single data point is sufficient, but there's nothing like personal experience to educate.