zealotry

Zealotry refers to extreme, fanatical devotion to a cause, ideology, or belief, characterized by uncompromising certainty, fervor, and often intolerance toward dissenting views. The term derives from zeal, linking to Latin zelus and Greek zēlos, and has historically been used to describe ardent, uncompromising advocacy.

Traits commonly associated with zealotry include dogmatism, absolutism, moral certainty, and in-group bias. Zealots are often drawn to proselytizing, social pressure, censorship, and sometimes coercive or violent actions to defend or advance their beliefs. Distinctions are drawn between zeal or passionate commitment, which can be constructive when pursued with humility and openness, and zealotry, which tends to reject nuance and undermine pluralism.

Zealotry can arise in religious, political, or ideological contexts. Motivations may include existential threat framing, identity reinforcement, perceived moral duty, or apocalyptic expectations. Historical patterns show zealotry contributing to social mobilization as well as to conflict, persecution, discrimination, or violence.

Scholars discuss zealotry in relation to related concepts such as fanaticism, fundamentalism, dogmatism, extremism, and partisanship. From a social-psychological perspective, it can reflect motivated reasoning, identity fusion, and moral conviction that overrides dissenting information. Critics note that labeling intense commitment as zealotry can obscure legitimate advocacy, while proponents argue that unchecked zeal can erode civil liberties and pluralism.