Not churchy, but cruel as can be (7)
I believe the answer is:
secular
'not churchy' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'cruel as can be' is the wordplay.
'can be' indicates an anagram.
'cruel'+'as'='cruelas'
'cruelas' anagrammed gives 'SECULAR'.
'but' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for secular that I've seen before include "Profane" , "Not connected with religion" , "Concerning the laity" , "Clear us, not being involved in religion" , "Not concerned with religion" .)