Differences between secularism and non-denominationalism: how to distinguish them?

A summary of how to distinguish between secularism and non-confessionalism.

It is common to hear expressions such as secular state or non-confessional state, sometimes synonymously. But there are important differences.

In order to understand what are the details that make secularism and non-confessionalism to be in fact very different concepts, let us define each one of them.We are going to define each one of them in order to be able to compare them and find the points that make them unique and therefore distinguish them.

What are the main differences between secularism and non-denominationalism?

It is common to ask what are the differences between secularism and non-denominationalism. Both terms refer to the non-religiousness of a given territory, but there are certain nuances that make them different and it is therefore advisable to delve into these details to avoid making mistakes.

Mainly, laicism refers to the absolute independence of a public administration of a public administration towards any type of organization of a religious nature.

On the other hand, When a State declares itself to be non-denominational, it is indicating that it does not officially profess any faith, but this does not prevent it from establishing agreements with religious entities, especially those that have historically been religious in nature.This does not, however, prevent the establishment of agreements with religious entities, especially those that have historically been linked to the powers of the country in question.

Therefore, when we speak of the differences between secularism and non-confessionality, the first distinction we must make is that of secularism, as an entity alien to any religion, versus non-confessionality, as a predetermined absence of relationship with a specific religion but without impediment to the establishment of ties in some specific matters or even for these religious institutions to enjoy certain benefits or privileges.

In contrast to these two typologies, we find a third formula, that of the confessional state. In this case we would be talking about a country whose political organization is closely linked to the predominant religious power, reaching extreme cases in which both powers are indistinguishable from each other, forming the so-called theocracies, where the laws and rules governing the religious life of the people are the same as those governing civil life.

Today there are many countries that maintain the theocratic model, many of them Islamic in nature, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, or Sudan.many of them Islamic, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan or Sudan. Also Christians, as in the case of the Vatican State. There are also confessional states where, although the political and religious powers have a certain separation, they are interconnected and coordinated for many issues and even legislations, which mix religious and legal norms.

Returning to the question of the differences between secularism and non-confessionality and looking at the example of confessional states and theocracies, it is easier to understand why people often make the mistake of confusing secularism and non-confessionality and use both terms interchangeably to refer to a state that is not associated with any religion, because in contrast to the examples we have just seen, the differences between them become very subtle.

The problem of definitions

One of the reasons why it is so difficult to establish the differences between secularism and non-confessionalism are the very definitions that the Royal Spanish Academy provides for these terms, which instead of resolving the doubts make them deeper. The truth is that the help one could seek in the dictionary of the RAE to fully differentiate these concepts is not as satisfactory as we could expect, far from it.

In reference to the term lay, what the Royal Academy establishes in its definition is: "independent of any religious organization". Up to this point we would not find any problem, since it fits reasonably well with the description we have made in the previous point. The problem comes when we search for the term aconfesional and we discover that the definition provided by the RAE is practically identical..

What the Spanish dictionary par excellence tells us is: "who does not belong or is not attached to any religious denomination". It is difficult to find the differences between both definitions and this is because there are practically none. In the first case, it uses the term "independent", while in the second, it prefers instead expressions such as "does not belong" or "is not attached". The divergence, if any, is too subtle.

As we anticipated, this is a setback to be able to discern between the differences between secularism and non-denominationalism. It is therefore necessary to go beyond the definitions provided by the Royal Academy and study other sources, especially that of specific cases, in order to shed some clarity and be able to observe more easily the elements that establish the disparity between the two concepts.

Therefore, in the following point we will be able to study the case of the Spanish model, thanks to which we will find some of the differences between secularism and non-confessionalism.

Is Spain a non-confessional or secular state?

When we talk about the differences between secularism and non-confessionalism, many people often think of the specific case of Spain and wonder whether it is a secular or non-confessional state. As of today, Spain is a non-confessional state, but it is not unusual for this doubt to arise, as we have already seen that it is not uncommon to confuse both concepts due to their proximity..

Spain became a non-confessional state with the 1978 Constitution. In fact, although neither the term secular nor the term non-confessional is used in the Magna Carta, it is explicitly stated that no confession will have a state character. What does this mean? That Spain will not have a specific official religion. But history carries a lot of weight, and Spain has traditionally been one of the flagships of Catholicism.

Therefore, although at a legal level Spain no longer has a specific confession, it is true that the Catholic Church maintains a special relationship with the Catholic Church. the Catholic Church maintains a special relationship with the State.The Spanish Constitution is based on agreements signed between Spain and the Vatican, that is to say, the Holy See, in 1979. Fundamentally these agreements refer to taxation, but it is true that there are also certain agreements relating, for example, to matters of education.

In summary, taking into account the differences between secularism and non-confessionalism that we have reviewed, we could conclude that the definition of secularism, although close, does not completely fit with the position of Spain with respect to religions, so that the most correct would be to affirm that in reality the Spanish State is non-confessional, since it does not ascribe to any confession but maintains agreements with Catholic Christianity, the religion that has historically predominated in our country.

The example of France as a secular state

Through the case of Spain we have been able to see an example of a non-confessional country. We will now focus on France in order to have on the table the other type, the secular or secular model. the other type of model, the secular one.. Thanks to this comparison, it will be even easier to understand the differences between secularism and non-confessionalism, being able to compare the French and Spanish systems as representatives of these models.

France, like Spain, has been a traditionally Catholic country. However, while Spain detaches its political power from religious power in 1978 and does not close the door to certain agreements (hence it is considered non-confessional, as we have already explained), France does so much earlier and in a more categorical manner. For this we must go back to the beginning of the 20th century.

It was in 1905 when the law of separation of Church and State was enacted in France, a document that embodies the secularity of France, a model that is maintained to this day. With this law, France put an end to any type of agreement that existed at that time with the Holy See (i.e. with the Catholic Church, which was the official confession of the country until then) and established three principles that would regulate from that moment on the relationship of the State with religions.

First, the French State declares itself neutral towards all confessions. Secondly, it establishes total freedom for citizens in the choice of their faith, if they have one, since it is such a personal matter that the State should not get involved in this decision. Lastly, it cancels, as we have mentioned, the agreements that were in force at the time between France and the Vatican State..

This process was quite convulsive and involved a whole national debate and years of back and forth in the legislative chamber until an agreement was reached. It is logical that it happened in this way, since it implied an important change at a historical level and therefore the positions on the matter were very much at odds.

In any case, this model sheds light on the differences between secularism and non-denominationalism in a clearer way.

Bibliographical references:

• Corral, C. (2004). Laicidad, aconfesionalidad, separación¿ Son lo mismo? UNISCI Magazine.
• Innerarity, C. (2005). The controversy over religious symbols in France. Republican secularism as a principle of integration. Revista Española de Investigaciones Sociológicas (REIS).
• Martí, J.M. (2008). Aconfesionalidad, laicidad; ante el Derecho a la educación y la libertad de enseñanza. Cuadernos de derecho judicial.