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A schism is a division in an organization, often caused by a small ideological disagreement that builds up. It can occur in religious, sports, and educational institutions. The Great Schism of the 11th century split the Christian church into two main branches. Schisms can be violent, but they have also contributed positively to history. The term comes from a Greek word meaning “to tear apart.”
A schism is a rift or break in an organization that brings out two distinct and separate factions. Generally, it is very difficult to come together after a schism has occurred, and division can create centuries of strife and chaos. Someone who triggers this is known as a schismatic. Some schismatics have become folk heroes due to their roles in schisms, especially when they are perceived as escapees from a corrupt organization.
Many people use the term specifically to refer to religious schisms, particularly in the Christian church. The most famous is probably the Great Schism of the 11th century, in which the Christian church split into two main branches: the Roman church and the Eastern Orthodox church. However, other religious have also experienced schisms and Christianity has seen a number of minor divisions, which explains why there are so many branches of Christianity today.
Schisms can also happen to sports teams, educational institutions, and other organizations. Typically, it starts with a small ideological disagreement that slowly builds up, becoming more and more important as people begin to take sides. An ever-widening gap begins to emerge, and if the gap cannot be bridged, the result will be a schism. In some cases, people actively work to promote this division in the belief that their differences are too great to fix the problem.
The term comes from a Greek word meaning “to tear apart,” and this is a very apt description of the events associated with a schism. Especially in the case of a highly organized organization, a schism can tear followers apart, creating ingrained resentment that may boil over later. Classically, one party holds power and can use its powers to ruthlessly abuse the breakaway group in hopes of suppressing the renegades and regaining control.
Human history is littered with numerous examples of schisms, and while some have been extremely violent, many have also contributed positively to history. The Great Schism, for example, created two flourishing branches of Christianity after over a century of discord had passed, and no doubt inspired religious renegades in the 16th-century Reformation. They’ve toppled governments, divided communities, and caused sports fans a lot of pain, but they’ve also restructured and sometimes greatly improved society, even if it could take decades to accomplish.
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