Fwd: "adiaphoron, n. and adj." - Word of the Day from the OED

[Dave Monroe]

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Subject: "adiaphoron, n. and adj." - Word of the Day from the OED
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Your word for today is: adiaphoron, n. and adj.

adiaphoron, n. and adj.
[‘ Usu. in pl. An issue or practice not considered to be central to a
religion, esp. Christianity; a religious matter that allows latitude;
a non-essential element of a faith. Also: something of a morally
neutral nature; a thing which is neither inherently good nor bad.’]
Pronunciation: Brit. /ˌadɪˈafərɒn/,  U.S. /ˌædaɪˈæfərˌɑn/
Inflections:  Pl.  adiaphora.
Etymology: <  post-classical Latin adiaphoron (usually in plural,
adiaphora) (1519 or earlier with reference to Stoic philosophy; 1545
or earlier with reference to religion) <  ancient Greek ἀδιάϕορον
(usually in plural, ἀδιάϕορα), something neither good nor bad, use as
noun of neuter of ἀδιάϕορος indifferent (see adiaphorous adj.).
Compare German Adiaphoron (usually in plural, Adiaphora) (1549 or
earlier in Lutheran context).
 A.n.
  Usu. in pl. An issue or practice not considered to be central to a
religion, esp. Christianity; a religious matter that allows latitude;
a non-essential element of a faith. Also: something of a morally
neutral nature; a thing which is neither inherently good nor bad.
Freq. with reference to the practices considered as adiaphora by the
moderate Lutherans in 16th cent. Germany; see adiaphorist n. 1.
1538  R. Taverner tr. Erasmus Sarcerius Common Places of Script. xv.
f. xlixv, A thyng indifferent of it selfe, neyther good nor euell.
[Note] Adiaphora.
1560  J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries xxi. f. cccxxxv, Here was a
decre made of thinges indifferent, suche as are called Adiaphora [L.
adiaphora].
a1652  J. Smith Select Disc.(1660) iv. ix. 118 These we may safely
reckon, I think, amongst our Adiaphora in Morality, as being in
themselves neither good nor evil.
1681  L. Womock Verdict upon Dissenters Plea i. xi. 277 The Rites and
Ceremonies used in the Lutheran Churches are Adiaphora, things
indifferent, neither commanded nor forbidden, either by any Divine
Law, or Prohibition.
1743 Hist., Geneal. & Classical Dict. II. sig. I4/1, He was not
zealous enough against the Adiaphora.
1781  J. Newton Cardiphonia I. 139 A nice disquisition concerning the
nature and limits of the Adiaphora.., or how near we may go to the
utmost bounds of what is right, without being wrong.
1836 Biblical Repertory Apr. 286 They prove that both political
despotism and domestic slavery, belong in morals to the adiaphora.
1865  E. B. Pusey Eirenicon 207 Images are to be reckoned among the
adiaphora, which do not belong to the substance of religion.
1916 Internat. Jrnl. Ethics 26 420 Force is a moral adiaphoron.
1940 Jrnl. Relig. 20 303 What is modern Protestantism to do about it
all? Announce all doctrines, symbols, sacraments, as adiaphora?
2003 Church Times 24 Oct. 12/2 On the other hand, traditionalists are
not likely to regard the current sexual issues as adiaphora.
 B.adj.
 rare.
  In predicative use. Of the nature of an adiaphoron or adiaphora.
1570  J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes(rev. ed.) I. 82/1 The celebration of
Easter daye remayned adiaphoron, as a thing indifferent in the Church.
1608  T. Bell Iesuits Antepast vii. 144 Sa. Hierome knewe right well,
that it was a thinge meerely Adiaphoron, and therefore was therein
resolued, to do as Damasus should giue aduise.
1962 Church Hist. 31 264 Insofar as the Mosaic law pertains to the
latter, it is adiaphoron for Christians.
2000  K. Greene-McCreight Feminist Reconstruction of Christian Doctr.
iv. 71 If he redeemed females.., is there not something in his gender
and ours that is adiaphoron when it comes to being saved by..Christ?

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