What is "latitudinarian"

Latitudinarian \Lat`i*tu`di*na"ri*an\, n.

1. One who is moderate in his notions, or not restrained by precise settled limits in opinion; one who indulges freedom in thinking.

2. (Eng. Eccl. Hist.) A member of the Church of England, in the time of Charles II., who adopted more liberal notions in respect to the authority, government, and doctrines of the church than generally prevailed.

   They were called ``men of latitude;'' and upon this, men of narrow thoughts fastened upon them the name of latitudinarians.
   --Bp. Burnet.

3. (Theol.) One who departs in opinion from the strict principles of orthodoxy.

Latitudinarian \Lat`i*tu`di*na"ri*an\, a. [Cf. F. latitudinaire.]

1. Not restrained; not confined by precise limits.

2. Indifferent to a strict application of any standard of belief or opinion; hence, deviating more or less widely from such standard; lax in doctrine; as, latitudinarian divines; latitudinarian theology.

   Latitudinarian sentiments upon religious subjects.
   --Allibone.

3. Lax in moral or religious principles.

1660s, "characterized by broad-mindedness," especially in reference to Episcopal clergymen indifferent to doctrinal details; from Latin latitudin-, from latitude in its meaning "freedom from narrow restrictions" (c.1600). Related: Latitudinarianism.

a. 1 Not restrained; not confined by precise limits. 2 tolerant, especially of other people's religious views. 3 Lax in moral or religious principles. n. A person who is tolerant of others' religious views.

1. adj. unwilling to accept authority or dogma (especially in religion) [syn: free-thinking, undogmatic, undogmatical]

2. n. a person who is broad-minded and tolerant (especially in standards of religious belief and conduct)

Latitudinarian was initially a pejorative term applied to a group of 17th-century English theologians who believed in conforming to official Church of England practices but who felt that matters of doctrine, liturgical practice, and ecclesiastical organization were of relatively little importance. Good examples of the latitudinarian philosophy were found among the Cambridge Platonists and Sir Thomas Browne in his Religio Medici. Additionally, the term has been ascribed to ministers of the Scottish Episcopal Church in Scotland who were educated at the Episcopal sympathizing universities at Aberdeen and St Andrews and that broadly subscribed to their moderate Anglican English counterparts.

Today, latitudinarianism should not be confused with ecumenical movements, which seek to draw all Christian churches together, rather than to de-emphasize practical doctrine. The term has taken on a more general meaning, indicating a personal philosophy which includes tolerance of other views, particularly (but not necessarily) on religious matters.

In the Roman Catholic Church, latitudinarianism was condemned in the 19th century document Quanta cura; Pope Pius IX felt that, with its emphasis on religious liberty and freedom to discard traditional Christian doctrines and dogmas, this attitude threatened to undermine the church. Latitudinarianism is still criticized within the Catholic Church under the epithet of Cafeteria Catholic. It has been perceived as a disingenuous claim to be Roman Catholic while ignoring, being indifferent towards, or denying Catholic dogmata and praxis.