Definition

Noun: 1. The process of transferring property, institutions, or activities from religious (ecclesiastical) to non-religious (civil) control or possession. 2. The process by which society, culture, or specific areas of life (like art, education, or morality) become less influenced or controlled by religion.

Usage

• The secularization of church lands was a major policy during the 19th century.
• The secularization of the public school system means religious teachings are separated from the standard curriculum.
• Sociologists study the secularization of modern Western societies.

Advanced Usage

• Secularization thesis: A theory in sociology that posits that as societies modernize, they inevitably become less religious.
  • The validity of the secularization thesis is debated among scholars.
• Internal secularization: Refers to the decline in religious belief and practice within religious institutions themselves.
  • The study examined trends of internal secularization within the denomination.

Variants and Related Words

• Secularize (verb): To make secular; to remove from religious control or influence.
  • The government moved to secularize the hospital network.
• Secularism (noun): The principle of separation of the state from religious institutions and the belief that public life should be conducted without religious influence.
• Secular (adjective): Denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.

Synonyms

• Deconsecration (specifically for places or objects).
• Laicization (often used specifically for removing clerical control).
• Desacralization.

Antonyms

• Sacralization.
• Consecration.
• Theocratization.

Noun

1. transfer of property from ecclesiastical to civil possession
2. the activity of changing something (art or education or society or morality etc.) so it is no longer under the control or influence of religion