Secular vs. Sectarian — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 1, 2023
Secular pertains to things that have no religious or spiritual basis, while sectarian relates to, or arises from, differences in religious belief or denomination.
Difference Between Secular and Sectarian
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Secular and sectarian are often used to describe ideologies, practices, or institutions, but they refer to entirely different things. The word secular addresses concepts, activities, or entities not connected to religious or spiritual matters. On the other hand, sectarian specifically dives into matters of religious factions or denominations.
While secular realms aim to remain neutral in religious considerations, prioritizing non-religious perspectives, sectarian domains highlight specific religious affiliations or biases. For instance, secular education would ensure that religious beliefs aren't taught or endorsed, whereas sectarian education would focus on teachings of a particular religious group.
It's crucial to understand the contrasting implications these terms carry. Secular efforts, particularly in governance or public services, attempt to cater to all individuals irrespective of their religious beliefs. Sectarian actions or viewpoints, meanwhile, emphasize distinctions between different religious groups, sometimes leading to division or even conflict.
The usage of secular and sectarian, especially in sociopolitical contexts, holds weight. A secular state promises equal treatment to all its citizens without favoring any religious group. Conversely, sectarian tensions, which spotlight religious differences, can sometimes be the root cause of unrest in various parts of the world.
Comparison Chart
Basis
Non-religious.
Based on religious denomination or faction.
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Scope
Broad, neutral in religious matters.
Narrow, specific to a religious group or belief.
Intention
Inclusivity and neutrality.
Exclusivity based on specific religious views.
Examples
State, education, activities.
Religious factions, denominational schools.
Potential Issues
May be perceived as irreligious or indifferent to spirituality.
Can lead to divisions or conflicts based on religious beliefs.
Compare with Definitions
Secular
Occurring once in an age or century.
The secular celebration was a grand event that happened every hundred years.
Sectarian
Strongly adhering to a particular sect or its doctrines.
Her sectarian approach to scripture often led to heated debates.
Secular
Pertaining to worldly things or to things not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred.
The art exhibition had a secular theme, avoiding religious symbols.
Sectarian
Influenced by the distinctive beliefs or standards of a sect.
The sectarian school only admitted students of a particular faith.
Secular
Not bound by monastic restrictions, especially not belonging to a religious order.
The secular clergy live outside the monasteries in the community.
Sectarian
Sectarian pertains to a specific religious sect or its followers.
The sectarian violence was due to deep-rooted beliefs and traditions.
Secular
Worldly rather than spiritual
The secular affairs of the parish.
Sectarian
Narrowly confined or devoted to a particular sect.
His sectarian views were not well-received in the diverse community.
Secular
Not relating to religion or to a religious body; nonreligious
Secular music.
Sectarian
Of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect.
Secular
Not bound by the full monastic rule of a religious order. Used of clergy.
Sectarian
Adhering or confined to the dogmatic limits of a sect or denomination; partisan.
Secular
Relating to or advocating secularism.
Sectarian
Narrow-minded; parochial.
Secular
Occurring or observed once in an age or century, as games in ancient Rome.
Sectarian
A member of a sect.
Secular
Lasting or persisting for a long time
A secular bear market.
Sectarian
One characterized by bigoted adherence to a factional viewpoint.
Secular
(Astronomy) Of or relating to characteristics of astronomical phenomena that change slowly over time.
Sectarian
Of, relating to, or partial to a sect.
We were discussing solutions to the sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shias.
Secular
A member of the secular clergy.
Sectarian
Dogmatic or partisan.
Secular
A layperson.
Sectarian
Parochial or narrow-minded.
Secular
Not specifically religious; lay or civil, as opposed to clerical.
Sectarian
Bigoted.
Secular
Temporal; worldly, or otherwise not based on something timeless.
Sectarian
A member of a sect.
Secular
(Christianity) Not bound by the vows of a monastic order.
Secular clergy in Catholicism
Sectarian
A bigot.
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.
Sectarian
Pertaining to a sect, or to sects; peculiar to a sect; bigotedly attached to the tenets and interests of a denomination; as, sectarian principles or prejudices.
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
Sectarian
One of a sect; a member or adherent of a special school, denomination, or religious or philosophical party; one of a party in religion which has separated itself from established church, or which holds tenets different from those of the prevailing denomination in a state.
Secular
(literary) Centuries-old, ancient.
Sectarian
A member of a sect;
Most sectarians are intolerant of the views of any other sect
Secular
Relating to long-term non-periodic irregularities, especially in planetary motion or magnetic field.
Sectarian
Of or relating to or characteristic of a sect or sects;
Sectarian differences
Secular
(atomic physics) Unperturbed over time.
Sectarian
Belonging to or characteristic of a sect;
A sectarian mind
The negations of sectarian ideology
Sectarian squabbles in psychology
Secular
A secular ecclesiastic, or one not bound by monastic rules.
Sectarian
Relating to or characteristic of a sect or sects.
The book provided an in-depth study of sectarian practices in the region.
Secular
A church official whose functions are confined to the vocal department of the choir.
Secular
A layman, as distinguished from a clergyman.
Secular
Coming or observed once in an age or a century.
The secular year was kept but once a century.
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.
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.
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.
Secular
Belonging to the laity; lay; not clerical.
I speak of folk in secular estate.
Secular
A secular ecclesiastic, or one not bound by monastic rules.
Secular
A church official whose functions are confined to the vocal department of the choir.
Secular
A layman, as distinguished from a clergyman.
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
Secular
Secular refers to being separate from religion.
The country adopted a secular constitution, ensuring freedom of belief for all.
Secular
Lasting or continuing through the ages.
The mountain range has a secular existence, predating human civilizations.
Common Curiosities
How is sectarian different from secular?
While secular is neutral regarding religion, sectarian relates to specific religious denominations or factions.
Can a country be both secular and sectarian?
Typically, a secular country remains neutral in religious matters, while a sectarian country might favor a particular religious group.
What does secular mean?
Secular refers to things separate from religion or not connected to religious matters.
Why do sectarian conflicts arise?
Sectarian conflicts can stem from deep-rooted religious differences and beliefs.
Why might sectarian views be problematic?
Sectarian views, emphasizing religious differences, can sometimes lead to division or conflict.
What's a secular state?
A secular state ensures governance without favoring or endorsing any religion.
Does secularism oppose religion?
No, secularism advocates neutrality in religious matters but doesn't oppose religion.
Does secular mean atheistic?
No, secular means non-religious, but it doesn't imply disbelief in a deity.
How can sectarianism be addressed?
Promoting understanding, interfaith dialogues, and education can help address sectarian divides.
Can an event be secular?
Yes, a secular event wouldn't be based on or promote any specific religious beliefs.
Can a person have religious beliefs and still support secular ideals?
Yes, individuals can hold personal religious beliefs while advocating for secular practices in public spheres.
Are all religious institutions sectarian?
Not necessarily. Some institutions may focus on interfaith dialogues and inclusivity.
Can education be secular?
Yes, secular education ensures that curriculum and teachings aren't biased towards any religious group.
Is sectarianism limited to religion?
While commonly associated with religion, sectarianism can also refer to deep divisions in ideologies or loyalties.
Are all secular societies free from religious influence?
Not necessarily. While secular societies don't officially endorse religion, religious practices and beliefs can still influence the culture and values.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
