Legal Definitions - sectarian

The term sectarian describes something that is specifically connected to, influenced by, or characteristic of a particular religious group, denomination, or sect. It often implies a focus on the distinct beliefs, practices, or interests of that specific group, sometimes to the exclusion of others.

• Example 1: Conflict
  In a region with a long history of religious diversity, a series of violent clashes erupts between two distinct religious communities, with attacks specifically targeting places of worship and neighborhoods associated with the opposing faith. News reports describe these incidents as "sectarian violence."

  This example illustrates sectarian because the violence is driven by and directed along the lines of specific religious group affiliations, highlighting divisions and animosity based on religious identity rather than purely political or economic motives.

• Example 2: Social Services
  A local charitable organization establishes a food bank and offers job training programs, but its mission statement explicitly states that these services are primarily intended for and provided to families who are active members of a particular religious denomination within the community.

  This demonstrates sectarian because the organization's focus and the beneficiaries of its services are tied directly and exclusively to a specific religious group, reflecting a preference or limitation based on religious affiliation.

• Example 3: Political Policy
  A newly elected government proposes a set of educational reforms that would allocate a disproportionately large share of public funding to schools operated by a specific religious order, while significantly reducing support for secular public schools and those run by other faiths.

  This is an example of a sectarian policy because the proposed reforms show a clear bias, favoring and benefiting one particular religious group's educational institutions over others, based on religious affiliation.