Lay vs. Secular — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 25, 2024
Lay emphasizes non-specialist or non-clerical status in religious contexts, while secular denotes things not affiliated with or bound by religion, spiritual beliefs, or sacred obligations.
Difference Between Lay and Secular
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Lay people are those not ordained within the clergy or not specialized in religious practices, focusing on the life and concerns of the general community. On the other hand, secular relates to aspects outside religious or spiritual jurisdiction, emphasizing worldly over spiritual affairs.
Lay involvement in religious organizations can still carry spiritual significance, whereas secular entities and ideas are rooted in the non-religious and often pertain to government, education, or public life.
While lay individuals may participate in religious activities without clerical authority, secular norms and structures are designed to operate independently of any religious influence. The distinction becomes clear in education, where lay teachers may instruct on religious subjects without being clerics, whereas secular education avoids religious content, promoting a neutral or non-religious perspective.
In terms of governance, lay members might engage in church-related decision-making without being clergy, while secular governance operates without consideration for religious laws or authority.
This contrast underlines the nuanced roles that lay and secular concepts play in delineating the boundaries between religious involvement and the secular sphere.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Non-ordained or non-specialist in religious context
Not connected with religious or spiritual matters
Focus
Community and general believers' life
Worldly, non-religious affairs
Involvement in Religion
Participates without clerical status
Operates independently of religion
Education
Can teach religious subjects without being clergy
Avoids religious content, promotes neutrality
Governance
May engage in religious organization decisions
Governs without religious laws or considerations
Compare with Definitions
Lay
Non-clerical.
Lay participation in church activities enhances the community's engagement.
Secular
Non-religious.
Secular music often explores themes outside of spiritual beliefs.
Lay
Participatory without ordination.
Lay preachers deliver sermons despite not being ordained.
Secular
Independent of religion in governance.
Secular states operate under laws that are not based on any religion.
Lay
Engaged in decision-making.
Lay representatives have a voice in church councils.
Secular
Pertains to the public sphere.
Secular celebrations include national holidays and historical commemorations.
Lay
Non-specialist in religious practices.
Lay individuals sometimes lead prayer meetings in their homes.
Secular
Worldly affairs.
Secular laws govern without reference to religious doctrine.
Lay
Community-focused.
Lay members contribute to the church's outreach programs.
Secular
Educationally neutral.
Secular schools maintain a curriculum free from religious teachings.
Lay
Put (something) down gently or carefully
She laid the baby in his cot
Secular
Worldly rather than spiritual
The secular affairs of the parish.
Lay
Put down and set in position for use
It is advisable to have your carpet laid by a professional
Secular
Not relating to religion or to a religious body; nonreligious
Secular music.
Lay
Used with an abstract noun so that the phrase formed has the same meaning as the verb related to the noun used, e.g. ‘lay the blame on’ means ‘to blame’
She laid great stress on little courtesies
Secular
Not bound by the full monastic rule of a religious order. Used of clergy.
Lay
(of a female bird, insect, reptile, or amphibian) produce (an egg) from inside the body
The hens were laying at the same rate as usual
Flamingos lay only one egg
Secular
Relating to or advocating secularism.
Lay
Follow (a specified course)
I'm going to lay a course for Ibiza harbour
Secular
Occurring or observed once in an age or century, as games in ancient Rome.
Lay
Trim (a hedge) back, cutting the branches half through, bending them down, and interweaving them
Most hedges are no longer laid
Secular
Lasting or persisting for a long time
A secular bear market.
Lay
The general appearance of an area of land
The lay of the surrounding countryside
Secular
(Astronomy) Of or relating to characteristics of astronomical phenomena that change slowly over time.
Lay
The laying of eggs or the period during which they are laid
The onset of lay may be marked by a dropping of the duck's abdomen
Secular
A member of the secular clergy.
Lay
A short lyric or narrative poem meant to be sung
A minstrel recited a series of lays
Secular
A layperson.
Lay
Not ordained into or belonging to the clergy
A lay preacher
Secular
Not specifically religious; lay or civil, as opposed to clerical.
Lay
Not having professional qualifications or expert knowledge, especially in law or medicine
A lay member of the Health Authority
Secular
Temporal; worldly, or otherwise not based on something timeless.
Lay
To cause to lie down
Lay a child in its crib.
Secular
(Christianity) Not bound by the vows of a monastic order.
Secular clergy in Catholicism
Lay
To place in or bring to a particular position
Lay the cloth over the painting.
Secular
Happening once in an age or century.
The secular games of ancient Rome were held to mark the end of a saeculum and the beginning of the next.
Lay
To bury.
Secular
Continuing over a long period of time, long-term.
The long-term growth in population and income accounts for most secular trends in economic phenomena.
On a secular basis
Lay
To cause to be in a particular condition
The remark laid him open to criticism.
Secular
(literary) Centuries-old, ancient.
Lay
To put or set down
Lay new railroad track.
Secular
Relating to long-term non-periodic irregularities, especially in planetary motion or magnetic field.
Lay
To produce and deposit
Lay eggs.
Secular
(atomic physics) Unperturbed over time.
Lay
To cause to subside; calm or allay
"chas'd the clouds ... and laid the winds" (John Milton).
Secular
A secular ecclesiastic, or one not bound by monastic rules.
Lay
To put up to or against something
Lay an ear to the door.
Secular
A church official whose functions are confined to the vocal department of the choir.
Lay
To put forward as a reproach or an accusation
They laid the blame on us.
Secular
A layman, as distinguished from a clergyman.
Lay
To put or set in order or readiness for use
Lay the table for lunch.
Secular
Coming or observed once in an age or a century.
The secular year was kept but once a century.
Lay
To devise; contrive
Lay plans.
Secular
Pertaining to an age, or the progress of ages, or to a long period of time; accomplished in a long progress of time; as, secular inequality; the secular refrigeration of the globe.
Lay
To spread over a surface
Lay paint on a canvas.
Secular
Of or pertaining to this present world, or to things not spiritual or holy; relating to temporal as distinguished from eternal interests; not immediately or primarily respecting the soul, but the body; worldly.
New foes arise,Threatening to bind our souls with secular chains.
Lay
To place or give (importance)
Lay stress on clarity of expression.
Secular
Not regular; not bound by monastic vows or rules; not confined to a monastery, or subject to the rules of a religious community; as, a secular priest.
He tried to enforce a stricter discipline and greater regard for morals, both in the religious orders and the secular clergy.
Lay
To impose as a burden or punishment
Lay a penalty upon the offender.
Secular
Belonging to the laity; lay; not clerical.
I speak of folk in secular estate.
Lay
To present for examination
Lay a case before a committee.
Secular
A secular ecclesiastic, or one not bound by monastic rules.
Lay
To put forward as a demand or an assertion
Laid claim to the estate.
Secular
A church official whose functions are confined to the vocal department of the choir.
Lay
(Games) To place (a bet); wager.
Secular
A layman, as distinguished from a clergyman.
Lay
To aim (a gun or cannon).
Secular
Concerning those not members of the clergy;
Set his collar in laic rather than clerical position
The lay ministry
The choir sings both sacred and secular music
Lay
To place together (strands) to be twisted into rope.
Lay
To make in this manner
Lay up cable.
Lay
To produce and deposit eggs.
Lay
To bet; wager.
Lay
(Nonstandard) To lie.
Lay
(Nautical) To put oneself into the position indicated.
Lay
Past tense of lie1.
Lay
The direction the strands of a rope or cable are twisted in
A left lay.
Lay
The amount of such twist.
Lay
The state of one that lays eggs
A hen coming into lay.
Lay
A narrative poem, such as one sung by medieval minstrels; a ballad.
Lay
A song; a tune.
Lay
Of, relating to, or involving the laity
A lay preacher.
Lay
Not of or belonging to a particular profession; nonprofessional
A lay opinion as to the seriousness of the disease.
Lay
(transitive) To place down in a position of rest, or in a horizontal position.
To lay a book on the table;
To lay a body in the grave
A shower of rain lays the dust.
Lay
To cause to subside or abate.
Lay
(transitive) To prepare (a plan, project etc.); to set out, establish (a law, principle).
Lay
(transitive) To install certain building materials, laying one thing on top of another.
Lay brick;
Lay flooring
Lay
(transitive) To produce and deposit an egg.
The hen laid an egg
Did dinosaurs lay their eggs in a nest?
Lay
(transitive) To bet (that something is or is not the case).
I'll lay that he doesn't turn up on Monday.
Lay
(transitive) To deposit (a stake) as a wager; to stake; to risk.
Lay
(nautical) To take a position; to come or go.
To lay forward;
To lay aloft
Lay
(legal) To state; to allege.
To lay the venue
Lay
(military) To point; to aim.
To lay a gun
Lay
(ropemaking) To put the strands of (a rope, a cable, etc.) in their proper places and twist or unite them.
To lay a cable or rope
Lay
(printing) To place and arrange (pages) for a form upon the imposing stone.
Lay
(printing) To place (new type) properly in the cases.
Lay
To apply; to put.
Lay
To impose (a burden, punishment, command, tax, etc.).
To lay a tax on land
Lay
To impute; to charge; to allege.
Lay
To present or offer.
To lay an indictment in a particular county
I have laid the facts of the matter before you.
Lay
To lie: to rest in a horizontal position on a surface.
I found him laying on the floor.
Lay
When pertaining to position.
The baby lay in its crib and slept silently.
Lay
(proscribed) To be in a horizontal position; to lie (from confusion with lie).
Lay
To don or put on (tefillin phylacteries]]).
Lay
Arrangement or relationship; layout.
The lay of the land
Lay
A share of the profits in a business.
Lay
The direction a rope is twisted.
Worm and parcel with the lay; turn and serve the other way.
Lay
A place or activity where someone spends a significant portion of their time.
Lay
The laying of eggs.
The hens are off the lay at present.
Lay
(obsolete) A layer.
Lay
(obsolete) A basis or ground.
Lay
A lake.
Lay
A ballad or sung poem; a short poem or narrative, usually intended to be sung.
Lay
A lyrical, narrative poem written in octosyllabic couplets that often deals with tales of adventure and romance.
Lay
(obsolete) A meadow; a lea.
Lay
(obsolete) A law.
Lay
(obsolete) An obligation; a vow.
Lay
Not belonging to the clergy, but associated with them.
They seemed more lay than clerical.
A lay preacher; a lay brother
Lay
Non-professional; not being a member of an organized institution.
Lay
(card games) Not trumps.
A lay suit
Lay
(obsolete) Not educated or cultivated; ignorant.
Lay
Of Lie, to recline.
Lay
Of or pertaining to the laity, as distinct from the clergy; as, a lay person; a lay preacher; a lay brother.
Lay
Not educated or cultivated; ignorant.
Lay
Not belonging to, or emanating from, a particular profession; unprofessional; as, a lay opinion regarding the nature of a disease.
Lay
A song; a simple lyrical poem; a ballad.
Lay
A melody; any musical utterance.
The throstle cock made eke his lay.
Lay
The laity; the common people.
The learned have no more privilege than the lay.
Lay
A meadow. See Lea.
Lay
Faith; creed; religious profession.
Of the sect to which that he was bornHe kept his lay, to which that he was sworn.
Lay
A law.
Lay
An obligation; a vow.
They bound themselves by a sacred lay and oath.
Lay
That which lies or is laid or is conceived of as having been laid or placed in its position; a row; a stratum; a layer; as, a lay of stone or wood.
A viol should have a lay of wire strings below.
Lay
A wager.
Lay
A job, price, or profit.
Lay
A measure of yarn; a lea. See 1st Lea (a).
Lay
A plan; a scheme.
Lay
To cause to lie down, to be prostrate, or to lie against something; to put or set down; to deposit; as, to lay a book on the table; to lay a body in the grave; a shower lays the dust.
A stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den.
Soft on the flowery herb I found me laid.
Lay
To place in position; to establish firmly; to arrange with regularity; to dispose in ranks or tiers; as, to lay a corner stone; to lay bricks in a wall; to lay the covers on a table.
Lay
To prepare; to make ready; to contrive; to provide; as, to lay a snare, an ambush, or a plan.
Lay
To spread on a surface; as, to lay plaster or paint.
Lay
To cause to be still; to calm; to allay; to suppress; to exorcise, as an evil spirit.
After a tempest when the winds are laid.
Lay
To cause to lie dead or dying.
Brave Cæneus laid Ortygius on the plain,The victor Cæneus was by Turnus slain.
Lay
To deposit, as a wager; to stake; to risk.
I dare lay mine honorHe will remain so.
Lay
To bring forth and deposit; as, to lay eggs.
Lay
To apply; to put.
She layeth her hands to the spindle.
Lay
To impose, as a burden, suffering, or punishment; to assess, as a tax; as, to lay a tax on land.
The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Lay
To impute; to charge; to allege.
God layeth not folly to them.
Lay the fault on us.
Lay
To impose, as a command or a duty; as, to lay commands on one.
Lay
To present or offer; as, to lay an indictment in a particular county; to lay a scheme before one.
Lay
To state; to allege; as, to lay the venue.
Lay
To point; to aim; as, to lay a gun.
Lay
To put the strands of (a rope, a cable, etc.) in their proper places and twist or unite them; as, to lay a cable or rope.
Lay
To place and arrange (pages) for a form upon the imposing stone.
And laid those proud roofs bare to summer's rain.
Let brave spirits . . . not be laid by.
No selfish man will be concerned to lay out himself for the good of his country.
Lay
To produce and deposit eggs.
Lay
To take a position; to come or go; as, to lay forward; to lay aloft.
Lay
To lay a wager; to bet.
Lay
A narrative song with a recurrent refrain
Lay
A narrative poem of popular origin
Lay
Put into a certain place or abstract location;
Put your things here
Set the tray down
Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children
Place emphasis on a certain point
Lay
Put in a horizontal position;
Lay the books on the table
Lay the patient carefully onto the bed
Lay
Prepare or position for action or operation;
Lay a fire
Lay the foundation for a new health care plan
Lay
Lay eggs;
This hen doesn't lay
Lay
Impose as a duty, burden, or punishment;
Lay a responsibility on someone
Lay
Concerning those not members of the clergy;
Set his collar in laic rather than clerical position
The lay ministry
The choir sings both sacred and secular music
Lay
Not of or from a profession;
A lay opinion as to the cause of the disease
Common Curiosities
Can secular individuals participate in religious activities?
Yes, secular individuals may participate in religious activities, though their approach is typically non-spiritual.
What does lay mean in a religious context?
Lay refers to individuals who are not ordained clergy but participate in religious communities.
How do secular laws differ from religious laws?
Secular laws are created based on societal norms and governance needs, independent of religious doctrines.
How are secular holidays determined?
Secular holidays are usually established to commemorate historical events, national achievements, or cultural traditions, independent of religious significance.
Can lay people hold positions in religious organizations?
Yes, lay individuals can hold various non-clerical positions within religious organizations.
What is the significance of secular in education?
Secular education emphasizes a curriculum that is neutral and not influenced by religious teachings.
What role do lay people play in religious education?
Lay individuals can teach religious subjects or contribute to religious education without being ordained clergy.
What defines a secular government?
A secular government is one that operates independently of religious institutions and does not base its laws on any religious texts or authorities.
Is it possible for something to be both lay and secular?
While lay pertains specifically to the non-clerical religious context, secular denotes a complete separation from religious aspects.
How does secular music differ from religious music?
Secular music focuses on themes unrelated to spiritual beliefs, while religious music is devoted to worship or spiritual reflection.
What distinguishes secular ethics from religious ethics?
Secular ethics are based on human reasoning and societal consensus, whereas religious ethics are derived from religious texts and traditions.
Can secular values influence religious communities?
Yes, secular values, such as pluralism and tolerance, can influence the way religious communities interact with wider society.
How do secular organizations contribute to society?
Secular organizations contribute to society through social services, education, and advocacy for human rights and social justice, independent of religious motivations.
Can lay individuals lead religious ceremonies?
Lay individuals may lead certain ceremonies, especially in communities where clergy are not readily available, but this varies by religion.
How do secular and religious views on morality differ?
Secular morality is often grounded in humanistic principles, while religious morality is typically based on divine commandments and religious doctrines.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Intellectualization vs. Rationalization
Next Comparison
Latency vs. LagAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
