Changes

The term '''secular''' is generally used to mean "worldly, as differentiated from ecclesiastical."  The term has changed meaning dramatically over time.  Its original definition preserved its Latin meaning - "of an age" - as evinced in the [[Secular Games]], or the [[Carmen Secularae]] ("Song of the Augustan Age") by Horace.

The term '''secular''' is generally used to mean "worldly, as differentiated from ecclesiastical."  The term has changed meaning dramatically over time.  Its original definition preserved its Latin meaning - "of an age" - as evinced in the [[Secular Games]], or the [[Carmen Secularae]] ("Song of the Augustan Age") by Horace.

The term may be a euphemism used by [[atheists]], since atheism generally has negative associations in the United States.

The term may be a euphemism used by [[atheists]], since atheism generally has negative associations in the [[United States]].

The United States was founded as a secular republic - where religious freedom is affirmed in the Constitution and where no special religion is established.

The United States was founded as a secular [[republic]], where religious freedom is affirmed in the Constitution and where no special religion is established. However, 'secular' here is ''not'' a synonym for 'atheistic'.

==Further reading==

==Further reading==