denominationalism

American  

[dih-nom-uh-ney-shuh-nl-iz-uhm] / dɪˌnɒm əˈneɪ ʃə nlˌɪz əm /

noun

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

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denominationalism British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• denominationalist noun

Etymology

Origin of denominationalism

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.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 6, 2021

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

From Washington Post • Jan. 12, 2017

To avoid any hint of denominationalism, preaching ministers are introduced simply as "Brother."

From Time Magazine Archive

Apman feels that most small-town ministers share his problem, and that the solution is to merge weak little churches into a few big ones, regardless of the cost in denominationalism.

From Time Magazine Archive

Intenser denominationalism in the truest sense of that word is the secret of success.

From Dorothy Page by Hatcher, Eldridge B.