secular – adj. not religious; non-religious

complicated – adj. hard to understand, explain or deal with

optimistic – adj. having or showing hope for the future;  expecting good things to happen

scheme of things – expression in a general view of the situation

confrontation – n. a situation in which people or groups  fight, oppose or challenge each other in an angry way

considerable – adj. large in size, amount or quantity

deep-rooted – adj. existing for a long time and very difficult to change; firmly established

awkward – adj. not easy to deal with; uncomfortable

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