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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 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 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

• Agnosticism
• Antitheism
• Apostasy
• Atheism
• Blasphemy
• Brights movement
• Heresy
• Heathen
• Internet Infidels
• Metaphysical naturalism
• Pagan
• Spanish Inquisition
• Faith and rationality

References

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

External links

• Merriam-Webster definition for "infidel".
• Merriam-Webster definition for "unbeliever".

• Religion