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Revision as of 13:37, 3 July 2007 editBless sins (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers16,862 edits restore order, kept Beit Or's source← Previous edit Revision as of 14:09, 3 July 2007 edit undoArrow740 (talk | contribs)7,908 edits They are right about the order. Regarding "malechh," the source does not say it is used for unbelievers in Sikhism.Next edit →
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An '''infidel''' (literally, "one without faith") is one who doubts or rejects central tenets of a ], especially those regarding its ]. More generally, an infidel is one who doubts or rejects a particular ], ], or ]. The word infidel derives its meaning from the Latin root infidēlis; a notion of being unfaithful or treacherous. An '''infidel''' (literally, "one without faith") is one who doubts or rejects central tenets of a ], especially those regarding its ]. More generally, an infidel is one who doubts or rejects a particular ], ], or ]. The word infidel derives its meaning from the Latin root infidēlis; a notion of being unfaithful or treacherous.


*In ], the ] word '']'' ('''كافر''') refers to a person who inwardly or outwardly denies ] or the prophethood of ]. The word is highly derogatory, and thus Muslim scholars discourage its usage with respect to ]s and ]s. <ref>Bjorkman, W. "Kafir". '']''. Brill, Brill Online.</ref> The term is usually translated into English as "infidel" or "unbeliever". The ] equivalent of "kafir" is '']''.
*In ], heathens (pagan ]) are called ''acum'' ('''עכו"ם''', an acronym of ''Ovdei Cohavim u-Mazzaloth'' '''עובדי כוכבים ומזלות''' literally "Star-and-Constellation Worshippers"). Heretical Jews may be called ] ("sectarians"), the name used in the ] for early Christians. Unlike in Islamic use, the ] ] ('''כופר''', cognate of the Arabic "kafir") is usually applied to apostate Jews. The other term, mainly for atheists is "epikoros" ('''אפיקורוס''', literally, an "]"). *In ], heathens (pagan ]) are called ''acum'' ('''עכו"ם''', an acronym of ''Ovdei Cohavim u-Mazzaloth'' '''עובדי כוכבים ומזלות''' literally "Star-and-Constellation Worshippers"). Heretical Jews may be called ] ("sectarians"), the name used in the ] for early Christians. Unlike in Islamic use, the ] ] ('''כופר''', cognate of the Arabic "kafir") is usually applied to apostate Jews. The other term, mainly for atheists is "epikoros" ('''אפיקורוס''', literally, an "]").
*In ], the term "infidel" is synonymous with "a non-Christian" (especially ])<ref>. Online etymology dictionary.</ref> and can also refer to those who do not believe in the ] of ], regardless of what they do believe, encompassing such diverse groups as ]s, ], ] and ]. A ], in contrast, is an individual who believes in the divinity of Jesus, but also knowingly holds beliefs that contradict Catholic ], while a ] is an individual who does not hold beliefs contrary to Catholic dogma, but denies the ] of the Catholic Church.<ref>] Catholic Encyclopedia </ref> *In ] ], the term "infidel" refers to those who do not believe in the ] of ], regardless of what they do believe, encompassing such diverse groups as ]s, ], ] and ]. A ], in contrast, is an individual who believes in the divinity of Jesus, but also knowingly holds beliefs that contradict Catholic ], while a ] is an individual who does not hold beliefs contrary to Catholic dogma, but denies the ] of the Catholic Church.<ref>] Catholic Encyclopedia </ref>
*In ], the ] word '']'' ('''كافر''') refers to a person who inwardly or outwardly denies ] and/or the Islamic prophet ]. The term is considered derogatory,<ref>Bjorkman, W. "Kafir". '']''. Brill, Brill Online.</ref> and thus Muslim scholars discourage its usage due to the Quran's command to use kind words.<ref name="Islamonline.net">{{Cite web|url=http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=8zOFOr|title=''General Fatwa Session''|accessdate=2007-02-23|publisher=]|year=2005|author=Sheikh Muhammad Al-Mukhtar Al-Shinqiti|work=Living Shariah > Live Fatwa|format=HTML}} The scholar quotes Al-Baqarah 2: 83.</ref> The term is usually translated into English as "infidel" or "unbeliever". The ] equivalent of "kafir" is '']''.
*In ], the word "Malechh" is used for non-believers. The term ''Malechh'' has been used in the Sikh scriptures to denote those whose "desires are filthy, and who are deemed the lowest of the low, complete outcasts."<ref></ref>


The term "heretic" (one who falls astray from true doctrine) and "infidel" (one who does not believe doctrine at all) may not necessarily hold the same meaning. The term "heretic" (one who falls astray from true doctrine) and "infidel" (one who does not believe doctrine at all) may not necessarily hold the same meaning.

Revision as of 14:09, 3 July 2007

For other uses, see Infidel (disambiguation).

An infidel (literally, "one without faith") is one who doubts or rejects central tenets of a religion, especially those regarding its deities. More generally, an infidel is one who doubts or rejects a particular doctrine, system, or principle. The word infidel derives its meaning from the Latin root infidēlis; a notion of being unfaithful or treacherous.

  • In Islam, the Arabic word kafir (كافر) refers to a person who inwardly or outwardly denies Allah or the prophethood of Muhammad. The word is highly derogatory, and thus Muslim scholars discourage its usage with respect to Jews and Christians. The term is usually translated into English as "infidel" or "unbeliever". The Turkish equivalent of "kafir" is giaour.
  • In Judaism, heathens (pagan gentiles) are called acum (עכו"ם, an acronym of Ovdei Cohavim u-Mazzaloth עובדי כוכבים ומזלות literally "Star-and-Constellation Worshippers"). Heretical Jews may be called minim ("sectarians"), the name used in the Talmud for early Christians. Unlike in Islamic use, the Hebrew kofer (כופר, cognate of the Arabic "kafir") is usually applied to apostate Jews. The other term, mainly for atheists is "epikoros" (אפיקורוס, literally, an "Epicurean").
  • In Roman Catholic Christianity, the term "infidel" refers to those who do not believe in the divinity of Jesus, regardless of what they do believe, encompassing such diverse groups as pagans, atheists, Muslims and Jews. A heretic, in contrast, is an individual who believes in the divinity of Jesus, but also knowingly holds beliefs that contradict Catholic dogma, while a schismatic is an individual who does not hold beliefs contrary to Catholic dogma, but denies the authority of the Catholic Church.

The term "heretic" (one who falls astray from true doctrine) and "infidel" (one who does not believe doctrine at all) may not necessarily hold the same meaning.

See also

References

  1. Bjorkman, W. "Kafir". Encyclopaedia of Islam. Brill, Brill Online.
  2. 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia

External links

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