I didn't mean the government was ever secular, but there were secular/temporal aspects; non-religious aspects to the practical organisation of the country that are generally ignored in favour of yet more untangling/entangling of numerous myths, stories and symbolism.

To ignore the social organisation and material redistribution system and technological developments is academically negligent.

The economy was a regulated, complex and efficient redistribution system, and not just some sort of myth based ritualised lifestyle.

Obviously every long lived system eventually becomes traditional and then reified given enough time.

Warwick gave the good analogous example of the US dollar, a secular system which has become associated with the sacred.

"In God We Trust".

Dave Light.