secular

/'sekjulə/
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secular

A secular government makes laws based on reason and not religious doctrine.

Definition
  1. Adjective:

    • Not connected with religious or spiritual matters: "secular" describes things that are separate from religion, focusing on worldly affairs.
    • Relating to the physical world and not to any eternal or spiritual life: It refers to concerns of this life and this world, as opposed to religious or eternal concerns.
    • (Of clergy) Not bound by monastic vows: In some religious contexts, it describes clergy who live and work in the general community, not in a monastery.
  2. Noun:

    • A person who is not a member of the clergy or a monastic order: A layperson.
Usage Examples
  • Adjective:

    • The government should remain secular and treat all religions equally.
    • She enjoys secular music more than hymns.
    • He is a secular priest who serves in a local parish.
  • Noun:

    • The meeting was attended by both clergy and seculars.
Advanced Usage
  • "Secular humanism": A philosophy or life stance that embraces human reason, ethics, and justice while specifically rejecting religious dogma, supernaturalism, and superstition.

    • His beliefs are grounded in secular humanism.
  • "Secular trend": A long-term trend or movement that persists over a very long period, often used in economics or sociology.

    • Economists are studying the secular trend of declining manufacturing jobs.
  • "Secular state": A country or state that is officially neutral in matters of religion, neither supporting nor opposing any particular religion.

    • India is constitutionally a secular state.
Variants and Related Words
  • Secularism (n): The principle of separation of the state from religious institutions; the belief that religion should not play a role in government, education, or other public parts of society.

    • The country's constitution enshrines the principle of secularism.
  • Secularize (v): To remove something from religious control or connection; to make secular.

    • The government moved to secularize the school system.
  • Secularization (n): The process of making something secular.

    • The secularization of society is a complex historical process.
Synonyms
  • Adjective: Temporal, worldly, non-religious, lay, profane (in the sense of not sacred), laic.
  • Noun: Layperson, laity.
Antonyms
  • Adjective: Religious, sacred, spiritual, ecclesiastical, clerical, monastic.
  • Noun: Clergyman, cleric, ecclesiastic, monk.
Related Phrases
  • Secular society: A society where religious institutions and beliefs are separate from the operation of the state and public life.

    • They advocate for a modern, secular society.
  • Secular education: Education that is neutral regarding religion, not promoting any particular religious belief.

    • The public school provides a secular education.
secular

A secular government makes laws based on reason and not religious doctrine.

Adjective
  1. characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy
    • set his collar in laic rather than clerical position
    • the lay ministry
  2. of or relating to clergy not bound by monastic vows
    • the secular clergy
  3. not concerned with or devoted to religion
    • sacred and profane music
    • secular drama
    • secular architecture, children being brought up in an entirely profane environment
  4. characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world
    • worldly goods and advancement
    • temporal possessions of the church
  5. of or relating to the doctrine that rejects religion and religious considerations
Noun
  1. someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person