Antidisestablishmentarianism
Antidisestablishmentarianism is a
political philosophy that is opposed to the separation of
church and
state. The term originated in the context of the
nineteenth century Church of England, where antidisestablismentarians were opposed to proposals to remove its status as the
state church of
England. The term has largely fallen into disuse, although the issue itself is still current. (See:
Act of Settlement)
"Antidisestablishmentarianism" is often quoted as one of the longest English words that has an actual meaning (as opposed to words that were made up for the purpose of being long — see Longest word in the English language), although there is a longer word that falls in the same category: "Pseudoantidisestablishmentarianism", meaning false opposition to the separation of the state and the church.