Secular (adj.)

[Oxford English Dictionary]

Meaning "of or pertaining to the world"

1. In ecclesiastical use, reference is made to members of the clergy who are living ‘in the world’ and not in monastic seclusion, as distinguished from ‘regular’ and ‘religious’ members.

2. Something belonging to the world and its affairs as distinguished from the church and religion; civil, lay, temporal. Chiefly used as a negative term, with the meaning non-ecclesiastical, non-religious, or non-sacred. This includes the sense of belonging to the ‘common’ or ‘unlearned’ people. In literature, history, art (esp. music), hence of writers or artists, it may mean not concerned with or devoted to the service of religion; not sacred; profane. Also of buildings, etc., Not dedicated to religious uses. In education, instruction; Relating to non-religious subjects. (In modern use often implying the exclusion of religious teaching from education, or from the education provided at the public expense.) Of a school: That gives secular education.

3. Something of or belonging to the present or visible world as distinguished from the eternal or spiritual world; temporal, worldly. Also secular-minded. This includes caring for the present world only; unspiritual.

4. Pertaining to or accepting the doctrine of secularism; secularistic. Secular societies: the designation given to associations formed in various English towns from 1852 onwards to promote the spread of secularist opinions.

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