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[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Sectarianism.jpg|right|frame]]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 1649]
==Definitions==
*1: a [[bigoted]] adherent of a sect or narrow-minded [[doctrine]] or [[practice]]
*2: [[limited]] in [[character]] or scope : parochial
==Description==
'''Sectarianism''', according to one [[definition]], is [[bigotry]], [[discrimination]] or [[hatred]] arising from attaching importance to perceived [[differences]] between subdivisions within a [[group]], such as between different denominations of a [[religion]], class, regional or factions of a [[political]] [[movement]].
The [[ideological]] underpinnings of [[attitudes]] and behaviours labelled as sectarian are extraordinarily varied. Members of a religious or political group may believe that their own [[salvation]], or the success of their particular [[objectives]], requires [[aggressively]] seeking [[converts]] from other groups; [[adherents]] of a given [[faction]] may believe that for the achievement of their own [[political]] or [[religious]] project their internal opponents must be purged.
Sometimes a [[group]] that is under [[economic]] or political [[pressure]] will kill or attack members of another group which it regards as [[responsible]] for its own decline. It may also more rigidly define the [[definition]] of "[[orthodox]]" [[belief]] within its particular group or organisation, and expel or [[excommunicate]] those who do not [[support]] this newfound clarified definition of political or religious 'orthodoxy.' In other cases, [[dissenters]] from this orthodoxy will secede from the orthodox organisation and proclaim themselves as practitioners of a reformed [[belief]] system, or holders of a perceived former orthodoxy. At other times, sectarianism may be the [[expression]] of a group's [[nationalistic]] or [[cultural]] [[ambitions]], or exploited by [[demagogues]].
The phrase "sectarian [[conflict]]" usually refers to [[violent]] conflict along religious or political lines such as the conflicts between [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Nationalism Nationalists] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unionism_in_Ireland Unionists] in Northern Ireland (religious and class-divisions may play major roles as well). It may also refer to general [[philosophical]], [[political]] disparity between different [[schools]] of thought such as that between [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia_Islam Shia] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni_Islam Sunni] Muslims. Non-sectarians espouse that free [[association]] and [[tolerance]] of different [[beliefs]] are the cornerstone to successful [[peaceful]] [[human]] [[interaction]]. They espouse [[political]] and [[religious]] [[pluralism]].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sectarian]
[[Category: Religion]]
[[Category: Political Science]]
