secularization
/'ekjulərai'zeiʃn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- transfer of property from ecclesiastical to civil possession
- 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