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An infidel is an English word meaning one who in reference to a particular religion doubts or rejects central tenets or one who acknowledges no religious belief, especially in Christianity. An infidel is one who is not a Christian or one who opposes Christianity. Also used in the Islamic sense as a translation of the Arabic word Kaffir (literally one who denies the blessings of God) referring to all non-Muslims.

Etymology

First used in Middle English c. 1460 (adj., n.), from the Middle French infidèle, and from Latin infidelis "unfaithful," later "unbelieving," In the 15c. meaning "a non-Christian" (especially a Saracen); later "one who does not believe in religion" (1526).

In Christianity

In Roman Catholic Christianity, the term "infidel" is an ecclesiastical term referring to one who does not believe in the divinity of Jesus or one who has not been baptized. 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.

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In Islam

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.

Similar terms in other belief systems

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• In Hinduism, the term Mlechha is derogatory term referring to all those who are foreigners, those who have abandoned the Hindu religion by embracing the Danavik (Demonic) Buddhist or Jain religions, and later Christianity and Islam. Mlechhas are considered like the Shudra, Achut - Polluting and Untouchable, whose mere presence pollutes and can only be cleansed by bathing in the waters of the Ganges, or some particular other river which have the same attributes as the Ganga. Nastik is another term used to refer to those who disbelieve in the Vedas.
• 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").

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See also

References

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

External links

• Merriam-Webster definition for "infidel".
• Merriam-Webster definition for "unbeliever".
• Merriam-Webster definition for "kafir"
• Etymology Online for "Infidel"

• Religion