Schism

The word schism is derived from the Greek σχισμα, schisma, meaning division or split (from σχιζο, schizo, "to split").

Schism can refer to:

• The offense of inciting divisions among Christians.
• The event of two groups of Christians ceasing to be in communion with each other, so that, whereas they formerly could worship together, they decide they must worship separately because of disagreements between them.
• The Great Schism, an 11th-century rift in Christian church
• The Schism between the anarchistss (libertarian socialistss) and communistss of the International Working Mens' Association; more specifically between their respective leaders: Mikhail Bakunin and Karl Marx.
• "Schism" is a song by the band Tool, from the album Lateralus.

A schismatic is someone who creates or incites schism. Schismatic can also be used as an adjective to describe ideas, policies, etc. that are thought to lead towards or promote schism.

In the early centuries of Christianity, schism was considered by many Christians to be as serious or more serious than heresy.