Turkey is a secular state. A state can be secular, but some people say that an individual cannot be secular. In other words, a state is secular because secularism is a legal matter. Unfortunately, for a long time we have perceived secularism as worldliness, as removing religion from society.

Perhaps lawyers should consider this subject and develop some new definitions, and thereby enlighten us. Some people openly say they are Kemalists, and others say they are Republicans. Maybe there are others who, although identifying with democracy, say: "Democracy doesn't fulfil all of my needs. It should be more comprehensive as to encompass all my needs as a human being composed of a body, spirit, and mind." Hulusi Turgut, Nurculuk, Sabah daily, 1/23-31/97