Crossword Genius

Holy or not, they tend to be obeyed (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

orders

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'tend to be obeyed' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'holy or not they' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'or' is within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for orders that I've seen before include "Dictates, commands" , "Groups living under particular religious rules" , "Dictates, decrees" , "Commands the religious ones?" , "Arranges" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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