Orthodoxy
Orthodoxy (from Greek: ὀρθοδοξία, orthodoxía, 'righteous/correct opinion')[1][2] is adherence to correct or accepted creeds, especially in religion.[3]
This article is about adherence to accepted belief, especially in Christianity. For the book by G. K. Chesterton, see Orthodoxy (book). For the Churches most often called "Orthodox", see Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Churches. For other uses, see Orthodox.
Orthodoxy within Christianity refers to acceptance of the doctrines defined by various creeds and ecumenical councils in Antiquity, but different Churches accept different creeds and councils. Such differences of opinion have developed for numerous reasons, including language and cultural barriers.
Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy are sometimes referred to simply as "Orthodoxy".
In some English-speaking countries, Jews who adhere to all the traditions and commandments as legislated in the Torah are often called Orthodox Jews.
Sunni Islam is sometimes referred to as "Orthodox Islam".
Outside the context of religion, the term orthodoxy is often used to refer to any commonly held belief or set of beliefs in some field, in particular when these tenets - possibly referred to as "dogmas" - are being challenged. In this sense, the term "orthodox" can have a mildly pejorative connotation.
Among various "orthodoxies" in distinctive fields, the most commonly used terms include:
The terms orthodox and orthodoxy are also used more broadly by English-speakers to refer to things other than ideas and beliefs. A new and unusual way of solving a problem could be referred to as unorthodox, while a common and 'normal' mainstream way of solving a problem might be referred to as orthodox.
Related concepts[edit]
Orthodoxy is opposed to heterodoxy ('other teaching') or heresy. People who deviate from orthodoxy by professing a doctrine considered to be false are called heretics, while those who, perhaps without professing heretical beliefs, break from the perceived main body of believers are called schismatics. The term employed sometimes depends on the aspect most in view: if one is addressing corporate unity, the emphasis may be on schism; if one is addressing doctrinal coherence, the emphasis may be on heresy. A deviation lighter than heresy is commonly called error, in the sense of not being grave enough to cause total estrangement, while yet seriously affecting communion. Sometimes error is also used to cover both full heresies and minor errors. Doctrine or practices not regarded as essential to faith, with which Christians can legitimately disagree, are known as adiaphora.
The concept of orthodoxy is prevalent in many forms of organized monotheism. However, orthodox belief is not usually overly emphasized in polytheistic or animist religions, in which there is often little or no concept of dogma, and varied interpretations of doctrine and theology are tolerated and sometimes even encouraged within certain contexts. Syncretism, for example, plays a much wider role in non-monotheistic (and particularly, non-scriptural) religion. The prevailing governing norm within polytheism is often orthopraxy ('right practice') rather than the "right belief" of orthodoxy.
