Secularly

Secularly describes an action, belief, or viewpoint that is independent of religion. It implies a focus on worldly affairs and matters not considered spiritual or religious. This approach prioritizes evidence-based reasoning, human experience, and principles of civil governance, as distinct from religious dogma or practices. It often emphasizes neutrality concerning religious beliefs while upholding individual freedom of conscience. The core characteristic of behaving secularly centers on a non-religious lens for understanding, interpreting, and engaging with the world.

Secularly meaning with examples

• The government functions secularly, meaning its policies are crafted without reference to any specific religious doctrine. Education is delivered secularly in many countries to ensure equal access and avoid religious indoctrination. Courts often handle legal disputes secularly, based on laws created by the state, rather than by religious precepts. Debates on ethical matters can be had secularly, relying on reason, evidence, and agreed upon principles of conduct, rather than citing sacred texts.
• The scientific community approaches research secularly. Its methods are guided by empirical observation, experimentation, and peer review, not religious beliefs. A public park, open to all, provides space for recreation secularly. Its operation prioritizes inclusivity, offering services that benefit all visitors regardless of their religious affiliations. The development of ethical guidelines for business should occur secularly, considering the societal consequences of actions, rather than relying on religious commandments.
• A historian analyzes a past event secularly, studying its political, social, and economic factors without attributing it to divine intervention. Charities can operate secularly when helping people in need based on their humanitarian principles, without requiring religious adherence. A journalist investigates a political scandal secularly, gathering evidence and reporting objectively, with no bias to any religion. In a secular democracy, laws are written and enforced secularly, applicable to all citizens regardless of faith.
• A secularly minded person might approach the problem of climate change considering the scientific data and potential environmental impact, without appealing to a higher power. Artists might create works of art that reflect the human experience and express emotions secularly, separate from the themes of religion. A doctor treats patients secularly, focusing on the health and well-being of the individual based on medical science. Debates about human rights must be held secularly, emphasizing the inherent dignity and rights of all people, irrespective of religious belief.