The principles, practices, or advocacy of free churches; religious movements emphasizing independence from state control and authority.
From 'free church' (churches independent of state control) + '-ism' (a system of beliefs or practice). 'Free Church' developed as a concept during the Reformation and religious reformation movements.
Freechurchism emerged as a powerful counterforce to established state churches—movements like the Free Church of Scotland literally split from the official church over the principle that religious bodies should be independent from government control.
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