secular intent

USAGE SUMMARY

"secular intent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase meaning a lack of religious motivation or a desire to avoid religious influence. For example, "The new education policy is based on a secular intent to provide all students with an equal opportunity to learn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

While the appeals court took issue with the city's characterization of the menorah and star and crescent as secular symbols, it said the policy had been crafted with a secular intent and effect — to promote the diversity of the holiday season — and did not denigrate Christianity.

The New York Times

Because the religious and secular spheres largely overlap in the life of many such schools, the court has tried to identify some facts likely to reveal the relative religious or secular intent or effect of the government benefits in particular circumstances.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As he has displayed in Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri, he is attractive to Republican inhabitants of small towns and rural areas, many of them alienated Evangelical Christians who take it as an article of faith that President Obama is merely the public face of a secular conspiracy intent on altering their country beyond recognition.

The New Yorker

Where a governmental body "expresses a plausible secular purpose" for an enactment, "courts should generally defer to that stated intent".

The New York Times

It's also a decades-old rhetorical tool of the culture wars intended to depict the entire left as frauds who supposedly stand for a tolerant open society, but who are in fact disciples of a secular pseudo-religion intent on quashing Christian influence in America.

The New York Times

Why should religious communities have to dignify such attacks from a secular majority that is intent on insulting them at every turn?

The Guardian - Opinion

The only possible remedy is to revitalize Turkey's secular democracy; instead, Erdogan is intent on dismantling it and setting up an authoritarian, Islamist, one-man regime.

Huffington Post

They inhabit an alternative universe of right-wing talk-radio hosts, evangelical preachers, and radical Presidents intent on foisting their secular values upon God-fearing Americans.

The New Yorker

Intent on persuading young, secular Jews to return to the fold, he surfed the folk music boom of the early 1960s, as well as the peace-and-love philosophy of hippiedom, and built a devoted following through his catchy, memorably folksy melodies and prayer settings.

The New York Times

The state also has a compelling interest in non-discrimination, civil rights, and equal treatment, and anti-discrimination laws do not have a religious intent, but they do serve primarily secular purposes.

Huffington Post

When Erdoğan and his comrades in the A.K. Party came to power, there were widespread concerns that, as ardent Islamists, they were intent on foisting a religious regime on secular Turkey.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, use "secular intent" to analyze the underlying motivations and goals of societal actions, ensuring objectivity and avoiding assumptions about religious influence.

Common error

Avoid using "secular intent" when you mean an intent to oppose religion. Secular simply means non-religious, not anti-religious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secular intent" functions as a noun phrase, where "secular" modifies "intent". It describes the nature of the intent, specifying that it is not religious or religiously motivated. Ludwig AI shows examples of this usage in legal and political contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "secular intent" is a grammatically correct and conceptually important term, particularly in discussions related to law, policy, and societal governance. It signifies that a particular action or decision is motivated by non-religious considerations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is most frequently used in news and media and scientific contexts. While the phrase itself is not overly common, understanding its meaning and appropriate usage is essential for clear and precise communication in formal and academic settings. When using this term, it's important to avoid conflating "secular" with "atheist" or anti-religious sentiments; rather, focus on the absence of religious motivation in the stated intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Secular purpose

Highlights the non-religious reason or objective.

Secular impetus

Emphasizes a non-religious force or influence that initiates action.

Non-religious aim

Focuses on the absence of religious influence in the goal.

Non-sectarian motive

Stresses the absence of bias towards any particular religious sect.

Lay motivation

Emphasizes that the motivation comes from non-clerical sources.

Non-religious drive

Indicates that the driving force is not based on religious beliefs.

Worldly intention

Emphasizes the practical, non-spiritual nature of the intention.

Civic goal

Highlights that the goal pertains to civic matters, excluding religious aspects.

Civilian objective

Highlights an objective related to civil society, devoid of religious aspects.

Temporal design

Focuses on the earthly, non-eternal nature of the design.

FAQs

How can I use "secular intent" in a sentence?

You can use "secular intent" to describe policies or actions designed without religious motivation. For example: "The legislation was crafted with a "secular intent" to ensure fairness for all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs."

What's a phrase similar to "secular intent"?

A similar phrase is "secular purpose", which also describes an aim or goal that is not religious in nature.

Is "secular intent" the same as "absence of religious belief"?

No, "secular intent" refers to the motivation or purpose behind an action or decision being non-religious. It does not necessarily mean the actor has an absence of religious belief, but rather that the belief did not influence the action. The actor could be religious and still have a "secular purpose".

In what contexts is "secular intent" most relevant?

"Secular intent" is particularly relevant in legal, political, and educational contexts, where the separation of church and state is a concern. It's used to ensure policies and practices are based on rational, non-religious grounds.