quietism

[kwahy-i-tiz-uhm]

noun

1. a form of religious mysticism taught by Molinos, a Spanish priest, in the latter part of the 17th century, requiring extinction of the will, withdrawal from worldly interests, and passive meditation on God and divine things; Molinism.

2. some similar form of religious mysticism.

3. mental or bodily repose or passivity.

quietism

/ ˈkwaɪəˌtɪzəm /

noun

1. a form of religious mysticism originating in Spain in the late 17th century, requiring withdrawal of the spirit from all human effort and complete passivity to God's will

2. a state of passivity and calmness of mind towards external events

Other Word Forms

• quietist noun
• quietistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quietism¹

First recorded in 1680–90, quietism is from the Italian word quietismo originally, prayer in a state of quietude. See quiet, -ism

Example Sentences

After 10 years in which Orbán’s grip on civil society has been relentlessly strengthened, Faludy says: “At best, the churches have chosen quietism rather than prophetic vocation.”

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To their children, this position seems like unforgivable quietism and complacency.

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Because feckless but sweet peace-and-love quietism seldom makes going on a killing spree look like the obvious next step, equating the Manson “family” with hippies in general is obviously a fallacy.

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However, there are those who have accused it of the sin of “quietism,” of a resigned acceptance, even, according to Anthony Burgess, an “evasion” of the worst things in the world.

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It wasn’t just a matter of quietism and contemplation.

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