Nonsecular vs. Secular — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 15, 2023
Nonsecular relates to religious or spiritual matters, while Secular is concerned with worldly affairs separate from religion.
Difference Between Nonsecular and Secular
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Nonsecular and Secular terms frequently appear in discussions involving the role of religion in society. Nonsecular pertains to the aspects of life that are connected to religion or spirituality. Secular, on the other hand, deals with matters that are not associated with any religious or spiritual belief system.
In the context of governance, a Nonsecular government would incorporate religious principles or laws, often making little or no distinction between state and religious authority. A Secular government separates church and state, making decisions based on secular, not religious, concerns.
When discussing education, Nonsecular schools often integrate faith-based teachings into their curriculum, aiming to educate students both academically and spiritually. In contrast, Secular schools focus exclusively on academic subjects without incorporating religious teachings.
In literature and the arts, Nonsecular works often explore themes of spirituality, divine intervention, or religious morality. Secular works, conversely, may delve into human experiences, history, or social issues without referring to a higher spiritual power or religious context.
Comparison Chart
Focus
Spiritual/Religious matters
Worldly affairs
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Governance
Mixes state with religion
Separates state from religion
Education
Includes religious teachings
Excludes religious teachings
Literature
Religious themes
Non-religious themes
Language
Religious terminology
Non-religious terminology
Compare with Definitions
Nonsecular
Involving the integration of religious principles in governance.
A nonsecular state often has laws based on religious texts.
Secular
Concerned with temporal or immediate affairs.
The conference addressed secular trends in technology.
Nonsecular
Relating to education that includes religious teachings.
She attends a nonsecular school that offers Bible studies.
Secular
Pertaining to a government that separates church and state.
The United States has a secular government.
Nonsecular
Concerned with religious or spiritual matters.
The church is a nonsecular institution.
Secular
Unrelated to religious or spiritual matters.
Science is often considered a secular discipline.
Nonsecular
Reflective of a lifestyle guided by religious beliefs.
Her nonsecular lifestyle involves daily prayers and rituals.
Secular
Focused on worldly rather than spiritual affairs.
He leads a secular lifestyle, devoid of religious practices.
Nonsecular
Pertaining to art or literature with religious themes.
His nonsecular paintings often depict scenes from the Bible.
Secular
Relating to education that is free from religious teachings.
Public schools are generally secular institutions.
Nonsecular
Not secular; religious.
Secular
Worldly rather than spiritual
The secular affairs of the parish.
Nonsecular
(atomic physics) Perturbed over time.
Secular
Not relating to religion or to a religious body; nonreligious
Secular music.
Secular
Not bound by the full monastic rule of a religious order. Used of clergy.
Secular
Relating to or advocating secularism.
Secular
Occurring or observed once in an age or century, as games in ancient Rome.
Secular
Lasting or persisting for a long time
A secular bear market.
Secular
(Astronomy) Of or relating to characteristics of astronomical phenomena that change slowly over time.
Secular
A member of the secular clergy.
Secular
A layperson.
Secular
Not specifically religious; lay or civil, as opposed to clerical.
Secular
Temporal; worldly, or otherwise not based on something timeless.
Secular
(Christianity) Not bound by the vows of a monastic order.
Secular clergy in Catholicism
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.
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
Secular
(literary) Centuries-old, ancient.
Secular
Relating to long-term non-periodic irregularities, especially in planetary motion or magnetic field.
Secular
(atomic physics) Unperturbed over time.
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
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
Common Curiosities
What does Nonsecular mean?
Nonsecular refers to matters connected to religion or spirituality.
What does Secular mean?
Secular pertains to worldly affairs separate from religious or spiritual matters.
Are Nonsecular schools religious?
Yes, Nonsecular schools often incorporate religious teachings.
Are Secular schools religious?
No, Secular schools focus on academic subjects without religious teachings.
What is Secular art?
Secular art focuses on worldly or human experiences without religious themes.
Is Nonsecular the opposite of Secular?
Yes, Nonsecular is generally considered the opposite of Secular.
What's a Nonsecular government?
A Nonsecular government incorporates religious laws or principles into its governance.
Can a Nonsecular person work in a Secular job?
Yes, a Nonsecular person can work in a Secular job and vice versa.
Can a person be both Nonsecular and Secular?
Yes, someone can have both nonsecular beliefs and engage in secular activities.
What's a Secular government?
A Secular government separates church and state and is not governed by religious laws.
What's the role of Secularism in politics?
Secularism in politics advocates for the separation of church and state in governance.
What is Nonsecular art?
Nonsecular art often includes religious or spiritual themes.
What's the role of Nonsecularism in politics?
Nonsecularism in politics often aims to integrate religious values into public policy.
Can a Nonsecular text discuss Secular topics?
Yes, a Nonsecular text can discuss Secular topics but often with a religious perspective.
Can a Secular text discuss Nonsecular topics?
Yes, a Secular text can discuss Nonsecular topics, usually without a religious standpoint.
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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.
