Unlike temples, shrines, churches of old-line religions, that are implicitly assumed to be part of some sort of religious schools, sects, and superior organizations, the term Tanritsu, that mainly refers to 'Tanritsu-jiin' (nonsectarian temples) (Buddhism), 'Tanritsu-jinja' (independently incorporated shrines) (Shinto), and 'Tanritsu-kyokai' (non-denominational churches) (Christianity), is in many ways used to show that they are exceptional beings and that they are not assumed to be part of any religious schools, sects or superior organizations.
主に「単立寺院」（仏教）「単立神社」（神道）「単立教会」（キリスト教）というように、何らかの宗派・教派・上位組織に属している事が暗黙に前提される伝統宗教の寺院・神社・教会等に対して、その前提に立たない特例的存在であることを示す際に用いられることが多い。