Anabaptists

A European Christian movement at the time of the Protestant reformation, whose origins are a matter of debate. They were persecuted, both by Roman Catholicism and Protestant churches.

The Anabaptists believed in:

• adult baptism
• freedom of belief
• separation of church and state
• the rejection of war
• other beliefs that were rather advanced for their time

The Amish and Mennonites trace their origins to the Anabaptists. Some theologians and historians include the Society of Friends (Quakers) and Moravians as Anabaptist denominations.