The beliefs, practices, or movement of the Brethren, a Christian sect emphasizing community, simplicity, and separation from worldly concerns.
From 'Brethren' (Christian religious communities) plus '-ism' (denoting a system of beliefs or practices). The Brethren movement emerged in the 18th century in Germany and spread internationally.
The Brethren churches, also called the Darbyites or Plymouth Brethren, developed an incredibly detailed theology about who could eat together and how to organize church life—'Brethrenism' became almost a shorthand for meticulous religious perfectionism.
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