[‘ Usu. in pl. An issue or practice not considered to be central to a religion, esp. Christianity; a religious matter that allows latitude; a non-essential element of a faith. Also: something of a morally neutral nature; a thing which is neither inherently good nor bad.']
Pronunciation: Brit. /ˌadɪˈafərɒn/, U.S. /ˌædaɪˈæfərˌɑn/
Inflections: Pl. *adiaphora*.
Etymology: < post-classical Latin /adiaphoron/ (usually in plural, adiaphora) (1519 or earlier with reference to Stoic philosophy; 1545 or earlier with reference to religion) < ancient Greek /ἀδιάϕορον/ (usually in plural, ἀδιάϕορα), something neither good nor bad, use as noun of neuter of ἀδιάϕορος indifferent (see adiaphorous adj.). Compare German /Adiaphoron/ (usually in plural, Adiaphora) (1549 or earlier in Lutheran context).
*A.*n.
Usu. in pl. An issue or practice not considered to be central to a religion, esp. Christianity; a religious matter that allows latitude; a non-essential element of a faith. Also: something of a morally neutral nature; a thing which is neither inherently good nor bad.
Freq. with reference to the practices considered as adiaphora by the moderate Lutherans in 16th cent. Germany; see adiaphorist n. 1.
1538 R. Taverner tr. Erasmus Sarcerius /Common Places of Script./ xv. f. xlixv, A thyng indifferent of it selfe, neyther good nor euell. [/Note/] Adiaphora.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane /Commentaries/ xxi. f. cccxxxv, Here was a decre made of thinges indifferent, suche as are called Adiaphora [L. /adiaphora/].
/a/1652 J. Smith /Select Disc./(1660) iv. ix. 118 These we may safely reckon, I think, amongst our Adiaphora in Morality, as being in themselves neither good nor evil.
1681 L. Womock /Verdict upon Dissenters Plea/ i. xi. 277 The Rites and Ceremonies used in the Lutheran Churches are Adiaphora, things indifferent, neither commanded nor forbidden, either by any Divine Law, or Prohibition.
1743 /Hist., Geneal. & Classical Dict./ II. sig. I4/1, He was not zealous enough against the Adiaphora.
1781 J. Newton /Cardiphonia/ I. 139 A nice disquisition concerning the nature and limits of the Adiaphora.., or how near we may go to the utmost bounds of what is right, without being wrong.
1836 /Biblical Repertory/ Apr. 286 They prove that both political despotism and domestic slavery, belong in morals to the adiaphora.
1865 E. B. Pusey /Eirenicon/ 207 Images are to be reckoned among the adiaphora, which do not belong to the substance of religion.
1916 /Internat. Jrnl. Ethics/ *26* 420 Force is a moral adiaphoron.
1940 /Jrnl. Relig./ *20* 303 What is modern Protestantism to do about it all? Announce all doctrines, symbols, sacraments, as adiaphora?
2003 /Church Times/ 24 Oct. 12/2 On the other hand, traditionalists are not likely to regard the current sexual issues as adiaphora.
*B.*adj.
/rare/.
In predicative use. Of the nature of an adiaphoron or adiaphora.
1570 J. Foxe /Actes & Monumentes/(rev. ed.) I. 82/1 The celebration of Easter daye remayned adiaphoron, as a thing indifferent in the Church.
1608 T. Bell /Iesuits Antepast/ vii. 144 Sa. Hierome knewe right well, that it was a thinge meerely Adiaphoron, and therefore was therein resolued, to do as Damasus should giue aduise.
1962 /Church Hist./ *31* 264 Insofar as the Mosaic law pertains to the latter, it is adiaphoron for Christians.
2000 K. Greene-McCreight /Feminist Reconstruction of Christian Doctr./ iv. 71 If he redeemed females.., is there not something in his gender and ours that is adiaphoron when it comes to being saved by..Christ?