The word schism ('sɪzəm or /'skɪzəm/), from the Greek σχίσμα, skhísma (from σχίζω, skhízō, "to tear, to split"), means a division or a split, usually in an organization or a movement.

A schismatic is a person who creates schism in an organization or who is a member of a splinter group. Schismatic as an adjective means belonging to a schism or schisms, or to those ideas, policies, etc. that are thought to lead towards schism.

Use within Christianity

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The historical development of major church branches from their roots.

The words schism and schismatic have found perhaps their heaviest usage in the history of Christianity, to speak of splits within a church.

Within Christianity the word schism may refer to:

  • The offense of creating divisions among Christians.
  • The event of two groups of Christians ceasing to be in full communion with each other, so that, they decide they must worship separately because of disagreements between them.
  • Any Christian communion or sect that has left the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Which church constitutes the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church has long been disputed: for instance, the Roman Catholic Church claims that title and thinks the Eastern Orthodox Communion to be in schism. The Eastern Orthodox Communion also claims that title and holds that the Catholic Communion is schismatic. The Protestant movement thinks that both are in error, so does the Restorationist movement.

Though it is very important to note the difference between schism and heresy. Heresy is to reject or doubt the beliefs of the Church after having been baptised.[1] Schism means that the opposing parties have a disagreement within the establishment. Both groups have to accept that they are in schism. In the canon law of the Catholic Church, an act of schism, apostasy or heresy brings the penalty of excommunication.[2]

Use within Islam

There are divisions between Sunni, Shia, and Kharijite Islam in CE 632 regarding the rightful successor to the prophet Muhammad. In 661 and 680 there were divisions regarding the rightful claimant to the Caliphate.

Use within Buddhism

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The historical development of major Buddhist Lineages

In Buddhism, the first schism was set up by Devadatta, during Buddha's life. After Buddha's passing away, the early Buddhist schools developed various schisms. In the old texts, 18 or 20 early schools are mentioned. Later, there were the Mahayana and Vajrayana movements, which can be regarded as being schismatic in origin. There are now perhaps thousands of different Buddhist sects.

Use within Jainism

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Picture showing a diagrammatic view of the schisms in Jainism along with the timeline

The first schism in Jainism happened around the fourth century BCE, leading to rise of two major sects, Digambara and Svetambara, which were later subdivided in further sub-sects.[3]

Use within Judaism

Throughout the Jewish history, Judaism survived many schisms. Today, major Jewish denominations are Orthodox Judaism and non-Orthodox: Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist.

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