ideolatry

English

Etymology

From ideo- +‎ -latry.

Mid 19th century; used to describe religious beliefs by a Church of England Clergyman in his book, "The Origin and Development of Religious Beliefs," 1869, S. Baring Gould (1834-1924), pg 188-189. It was used again in 1913 in the Journal of Religious Psychology, Vol 6, 1913, Page 316, which quoted from an article, "Homo faber" and "Homo religious," an article on “Le rythme du progress et la loi des deux etats,” published in the Revue de Métaphysique et de Morale, vol. 21, 1913, pp 16-60). Ideolatry was also cited in "Modern English", Hall, Fitzedward, 1873, pg 368, describing it as a "monstrous formation" of a word.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌaɪ.dɪˈɑl.ə.tɹi/

Noun

ideolatry (plural ideolatries)

1. The worship, attachment, or devotion to a concept originating and existing in the mind as a result of mental understanding, awareness, or activity.
2. The worship or devotion to the thoughts and intents derived from the human mind.
3. The worship of the human intellect.

   The human mind can be easily deceived and convinced of its superiority and self-sufficiency, which is the core of Ideolatry.

   • 2015, Dr Rich Masek, Ideolatry God Is Not Your Problem The Character and Nature of God, DBD Publishing, page 10

     Placing the human intellect on a pedestal and worshipping its potential is the core of Ideolatry and can severely diminish man’s ability to be completely fulfilled.

Synonyms

• thought
• concept
• worship
• adoration
• reverence

Related terms

• idea
• idolatry
• idolatrous
• -latry

References

• oxforddictionaries.com [1]