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The term dissenter (from the Latin dissentire, “to disagree”), labels one who dissents or disagrees in matters of opinion, belief, etc. In the social and religious history of England and Wales, however, it refers particularly to a member of a religious body in England or Wales who has, for one reason or another, separated from the Established Church.^[1]

Originally, the term included English and Welsh Roman Catholics^[2] whom the original draft of the Relief Act of 1779 styled "Protesting Catholic Dissenters." In practice, however, it designates the “Protestant Dissenters” referred to in sec. ii. of the Act of Toleration of 1689. For more see English Dissenters.

The term does not apply to those bodies who dissent from the Established Church of Scotland; and in speaking of members of religious bodies which have seceded from established churches outside Britain one usually employs the term "dissidents" (from the Latin dissidere, “to dissent”). In this connotation the terms "dissenter" and "dissenting," which had acquired a somewhat contemptuous flavour, have tended since the middle of the 18th century to be replaced by "nonconformist," a term which did not originally imply secession, but only refusal to conform in certain particulars (for example the wearing of the surplice) with the authorized usages of the Established Church.^[3]

Still more recently the term "nonconformist" has in its turn, as the political attack on the principle of a state establishment of religion developed, tended to give place to the style of “Free Churches” and “Free Churchman.” All three terms continue in use, “nonconformist” being the most usual, as it is the most colourless.

• Dissent
• Christian anarchism
• English Dissenters
• Freedom of religion
• Organizational Dissent
• Religion in the United Kingdom

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.