Pronunciation: [sˈɛkjʊlˌɑːɹa͡ɪzə] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "seculariser" follows the British English convention for adding "-ise" at the end of a verb to indicate an action or process. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is represented as /ˈsɛkjʊləraɪzə/. The stress falls on the second syllable, while the final "-er" is pronounced as "-ɪzə" to denote the suffix. "Seculariser" means to make something secular or to remove religious influence from it.
A seculariser is an individual, group, or institution that advocates for or actively promotes the process of secularization. In simplistic terms, secularization refers to the diminishing influence of religious beliefs, practices, and institutions in various aspects of society, including government, education, and culture. Therefore, a seculariser aims to separate religious authority or influence from public and societal affairs.
Within political or policy contexts, a seculariser may push for the removal of religious doctrines or customs from legislation and governance, advocating for the establishment of a strictly secular state that treats all citizens equally regardless of their religious beliefs. In educational settings, they may advocate for secular curriculum and policies that don't favor any specific religious tradition over others.
Similarly, a seculariser may work toward reducing the role of religious institutions in cultural and social activities, promoting the idea of a society where people's personal beliefs are private matters and are not imposed on others.
It's important to note that the term "seculariser" does not necessarily imply hostility towards religion or seeking its eradication. Rather, it reflects the recognition and respect for the diversity of religious beliefs and the separation of religious practices from public life.
The word "seculariser" is derived from the root word "secular", which comes from the Latin word "saecularis". The Latin term "saecularis" originally meant "of or pertaining to an age or period", but it eventually evolved to encompass the concept of "worldly" or "temporal" in contrast to the religious or spiritual realm. From there, the verb form "seculariser" was created, denoting the act of making something secular or removing it from religious or spiritual influence.
