different between unbelief vs irreligion

English

Etymology

From Middle English unbilefe, unbileve, equivalent to un- +? belief.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?nb??li?f/

Noun

unbelief (usually uncountable, plural unbeliefs)

1. An absence (or rejection) of belief, especially religious belief
   • 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Mark VI:

     And he coulde there shewe no myracles butt leyd his hondes apon a feawe sicke foolke and healed them. And he merveyled at their unbelefe.

   • 1931, William Faulkner, Sanctuary, Vintage 1993, p. 35:

     On hands and knees he looked at the empty siding and up at the sunfilled sky with unbelief and despair.

   • 2009, Diarmaid MacCulloch, A History of Christianity, Penguin 2010, p. 781:

     Soon Spinoza was regarded as the standard-bearer for unbelief, even though pervading his carefully-worded writings there is a clear notion of a divine spirit inhabiting the world, and a profound sense of wonder and reverence for mystery.

Translations

See also

• disbelief (noun)
• doubt

English

Etymology

From French irréligion, from Latin irreligionem.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /????l?d??n/
• Rhymes: -?d??n

Noun

irreligion (usually uncountable, plural irreligions)

1. The state of being irreligious; irreligious sentiment or thought.
   • 1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, I:

     Lucretius' irreligion is too strong, / For early stomachs, to prove wholesome food […]

   • 1967, Theodor R. Sizer, Nicholas Wolterstoff, Religion and Public Education (page 5)

     When we put this idea together with that of the other prescription, we see that what the two together demand is that, with respect to their religions and irreligions, all men shall stand before the government as equals.

Translations

See also

• unreligion

Middle French

Noun

irreligion f (plural irreligions)

1. irreligion