Sekulaarne

Sekulaarne is an Estonian adjective meaning secular, worldly or non-religious. It describes things that belong to the secular sphere rather than to religion, such as sekulaarne riik (a secular state), sekulaarne haridus (secular education) and sekulaarne moraal (secular morality). In broader use, sekulaarne can refer to secularism as a worldview or policy that seeks government neutrality in religious matters and the separation of church and state. It is commonly contrasted with religioosne (religious) or kiriklik (ecclesiastical).

Etymology and usage: the term originates from Latin saeculum meaning “worldly” or “the present age,” and entered Estonian via European languages such as German säkular/sekulär. It became widespread during modernization and debates about church–state relations in the 19th and 20th centuries. In contemporary discourse, sekulaarne encompasses not only politics and law but also culture, education, and public life.

Relation to related concepts: sekulaariseerimine (secularization) describes the process by which religious influence in society diminishes or is institutionalized to the private sphere. Laiklik is the principle of state secularism, often used synonymously with secular governance, though laiklik can carry a more formal constitutional meaning. Sekulaarne thus forms part of broader discussions on pluralism, humanism and the pluralistic handling of religious diversity in modern societies.