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Revision as of 20:42, 6 July 2007 by Vmrgrsergr (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) For other uses, see Infidel (disambiguation).An infidel (literally, "one without faith") is one who doubts or rejects central tenets of a religion, especially Christianity or Islam. 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 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.
- 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").
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
- "Infidel", The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
- "Infidel", Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
- Bjorkman, W. "Kafir". Encyclopaedia of Islam. Brill, Brill Online.
- 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia