Latitudinarianism
The term latitudinarism (adjective: latitudinarisch ) comes from the English word latitude , which means width. It describes the ethos of the Church of England in the late 17th and 18th centuries.
From John Tillotson (1630–1694) to William Paley (1743–1805), most of the leading theologians of this time in England can be counted as belonging to the Latin school. Latitudinarianism was characterized by a tolerant and Irish attitude. This meant renouncing uniformity in questions of faith and religious practice, turning away from controversial theology and religious fanaticism and a liberal, rationalist theology.
The term latitudinarian was also used as a dirty word. Then it meant that someone was willing to stretch their conscience in order to gain personal advantage.
Latitudinarianism is listed in the heading of paragraph 3 of the Syllabus errorum .
Individual evidence
- ^ John Spurr: Latitudinarism . In: Theologische Realenzyklopädie (TRE), Vol. 20: Crusades - Leo XIII. De Gruyter, Berlin 1977, pp. 493-495.