denominationalism

[dih-nom-uh-ney-shuh-nl-iz-uhm]

noun

1. denominational or sectarian spirit or policy; the tendency to divide into denominations or sects.

denominationalism

/ dɪˌnɒmɪˈneɪʃənəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. adherence to particular principles, esp to the tenets of a religious denomination; sectarianism

2. the tendency to divide or cause to divide into sects or denominations

3. division into denominations

Other Word Forms

• denominationalist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of denominationalism¹

First recorded in 1850–55; denominational + -ism

Example Sentences

Even before Jan. 6, some sociologists said the fastest-growing group of American Christians are those associated with independent “prophets” who largely operate outside denominationalism.

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The historically neat boundaries of denominationalism are fraying.

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The result is denominationalism in which each Protestant church tries to be just different enough from other Protestant churches to attract an increasingly diminishing market share. It’s a dismaying circumstance.

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“Just as denominationalism doesn’t matter as much, evangelicalism doesn’t mean as much as it once did,” he said.

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John Wesley's name is far above mere denominationalism.

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