incrédulos

Incrédulos is a Spanish noun and adjective meaning unbelievers or the unconvinced. The plural incrédulos refers to people who do not believe in a given proposition or, more commonly, in a religion such as Christianity. Etymology: it derives from Latin incredulus, from in- “not” + credulus “believing.” In religious discourse, the term is often used to designate those who reject the Gospel or official doctrine; it can carry a pejorative tone, but in scholarly or historical contexts it may simply describe a demographic group of nonbelievers.

In sociology and religious studies, incrédulos may refer to individuals characterized by atheism, agnosticism, or skepticism toward religious claims without asserting any specific creed. The concept appears in historical Christian writings, where the term differentiated believers from those outside the church, including pagans or heretics. In modern Spanish, the word can appear in debates about religion in public life, education, or politics, sometimes framed as a stance of doubt or opposition to faith-based claims.

Related terms include incredulidad (unbelief), ateísmo (atheism), and escepticismo (skepticism). The use of incrédulos can vary by context, ranging from neutral descriptive usage in studies to a more value-laden label in polemical or rhetorical arguments.