Dechristianizing

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The process of removing Christian elements or influences from a place, institution, or culture; the act of reducing or eliminating Christian traditions, beliefs, or symbols
2. Transforming or reforming a society or institution by stripping away its Christian identity or practices; efforts to secularize or replace Christian customs with alternative views
3. The action of erasing Christian dominance or presence in social, political, or cultural contexts; abolishing Christian affiliations or rituals to promote non-religious or different ideological frameworks

Etymology: "Dechristianizing" is a plain English formation: the prefix "de-" (removing or reversing), the verb "Christianize," and the suffix "-ing" that turns it into a participle or gerund. "Christianize" itself comes from "Christian," from Late Latin "christianus," from Greek "Christianos," meaning a follower of Christ, and the "-ize" ending, from Greek "-izein," marks the sense of making something conform to a condition. The pattern is productive. English speakers attach "de-" to many verbs to mean undoing an action: "decentralize," "demilitarize," "deregulate." "Dechristianizing" follows that model, so its meaning can be worked out from its parts: the act of stripping a place, institution, or culture of Christian influence, rather than simply converting it.

Synonyms: secularizing, deconsecrating, desanctifying, denominationalizing

Antonyms: christianizing, sanctifying, consecrating, baptizing