Heresyphobia

/ˌhɛrɪsɪˈfoʊbiə/ noun

Definition

An irrational or excessive fear of heresy or heretical beliefs.

Etymology

From Greek hairesis (heresy) + phobos (fear). A neologism combining standard Greek roots using the productive -phobia suffix, likely emerging in theological discourse to describe pathological anxiety about doctrinal error.

Kelly Says

Heresyphobia captures a real historical phenomenon—religious institutions sometimes became so paranoid about doctrinal contamination that they saw heresy everywhere, leading to witch hunts and inquisitions driven by fear rather than evidence.

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