Psilanthropism is a rare and complex word that refers to the belief that humans can achieve moral and spiritual development without divine help. Pronounced /saɪlænθrəpɪz(ə)m/, the word is spelled with a combination of the Greek "psi" which sounds like "sigh", "ilan" which sounds like "ee-lan", and "thropism" which sounds like "throw-piz-uhm". The use of IPA phonetic transcription (/saɪlænθrəpɪz(ə)m/) makes it easier to understand and correctly pronounce this challenging term.
Psilanthropism, noun
[ˌsɪlænθrəpɪzəm]
Definition: Psilanthropism refers to a philosophical and religious belief system that denies the supernatural origin of religious doctrines and views Jesus Christ as solely a human figure, rejecting his divinity. The term derives from the Greek words: "psilos," meaning "bare" or "mere," and "anthropos," meaning "human," indicating the prominent emphasis on human nature within this ideology.
In psilanthropism, adherents consider Jesus Christ to be an exceptional teacher, moral guide, or prophet, but reject the belief in his divine nature or any miracles attributed to him. This perspective leans towards a rational interpretation of religious doctrines, grounding spirituality within human experience and comprehension.
Originating during the early modern period of Enlightenment in Europe, psilanthropism emerged as a reaction against traditional Christian beliefs and dogmas. Influenced by the principles of reason, scientific inquiry, and skepticism, its proponents sought to challenge and dismantle what they viewed as the irrational and supernatural aspects of religious faith.
Psilanthropism does not adhere to any specific religious denomination but rather represents an approach to understanding and interpreting religious teachings from a rationalistic and humanistic viewpoint. Although its influence waned over time, certain aspects of psilanthropism can be traced within modern liberal Christianity, which often emphasizes the moral teachings of Jesus Christ while questioning traditional notions of divinity and supernatural miracles.
Overall, psilanthropism serves as an important historical and philosophical movement challenging supernatural religious beliefs and advocating for a human-centered approach to understanding spirituality and ethics.
The word "Psilanthropism" is derived from two Greek roots: "psilo" and "anthropos".
The prefix "psilo" comes from the Greek word "psilos" (ψιλός), which means "bare" or "plain". In this context, it conveys the idea of simplicity or lack of complexity.
The second root, "anthropos", means "human" or "human being" in Greek.
Therefore, "Psilanthropism" combines these two roots to form a term that refers to a belief system or philosophy that regards Jesus Christ as solely a human being, rejecting any notion of him being divine or having any divine attributes.