Pronunciation: [sˈɛkjʊləɹˌa͡ɪz] (IPA) 
The word "secularize" is spelled with four syllables, /ˈsɛkjʊləraɪz/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "e" sound, followed by a "k" and a "yoo" sound. The second syllable is a short "luh" sound, while the third is pronounced with a "ra" sound, and the final syllable ends with a long "aɪ" sound. The word means to remove religious influence or control from something, such as a government or an institution.
Secularize is a verb that refers to the act of removing or diminishing religious or spiritual influence or significance from a person, society, organization, or institution, and making them more neutral or non-religious in nature.
In broader terms, secularize means to transition from a religious or sacred-based perspective to a more worldly, secular standpoint. This typically involves the reduction of religious practices, beliefs, or traditions in favor of more secular, rational, or materialistic principles.
When applied to a society or state, secularizing often entails separating religious institutions and authorities from political or legal affairs, ensuring a clear division between religion and government. This process aims to establish a civil society where laws, policies, and decisions are based on secular reasoning rather than religious doctrine, providing equal treatment and protection to all citizens irrespective of their religious beliefs or affiliations.
Furthermore, secularize can also be used in the context of an individual or an organization, indicating a departure from religious or spiritual ideologies, practices, or customs. It involves adopting a worldview that emphasizes rationality, scientific knowledge, and humanistic values rather than relying on religious faith or dogma.
Overall, secularize encapsulates the process of reducing or eliminating religious influence, practices, and institutions in various domains of life, whether at the societal, organizational, or individual levels.
The word "secularize" has its origins in the Latin language. It comes from the Latin verb "saecularizare" which means "to make worldly" or "to transfer to temporal jurisdiction". The Latin word "saecularizare" is derived from the noun "saeculum" meaning "age" or "world".
In medieval times, "secularize" was used mainly in a religious context, referring to the transfer of a religious property or institution from religious to temporal or non-religious control. Over time, the word expanded in meaning to encompass the broader concept of removing religious influence or affiliation and making something more secular in nature.
In summary, the term "secularize" originated from the Latin word "saecularizare", which refers to transferring something from religious to temporal control, and it has evolved to represent the process of removing religious influence in a wider context.
