Anabaptism

Anabaptism, movement advocating baptism of adult believers rather than infants. The first group was formed in 1523 at Zurich by dissatisfied followers of Ulrich Zwingli. Most stressed the dictates of individual conscience, and urged nonviolence and separation of church and state. Despite widespread persecution, their doctrines spread, forming the basis of belief for the Mennonites in the Netherlands and the Hutterites in Moravia.

See also: Reformation.