Nonconformity to the world, also calledseparation from the world, is aChristian doctrine based onRomans 12:2,[1][2]2 Corinthians 6:17[3] and other verses of theNew Testament that became important among differentProtestant groups, especially amongWesleyans andAnabaptists. The correspondingGerman word used by Anabaptists isAbsonderung.[4] Nonconformity is primarily expressed through the practices ofplain dress andsimple living.
Among the verses of theNew Testament used to support the concept of nonconformity to the world are:
Even though not unique toWesleyan andAnabaptist Christians (such asMennonites), the concept of nonconformity has found an unusually intense and detailed application among these groups.[13] Other groups that practice forms of separation from the world are theExclusive Brethren and theChurch of God (Restoration). 20th-century minister and religious radio broadcasterCarl McIntire stressed the doctrine of nonconformity to the world.
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 A 1685 illustration byJan Luyken, published inMartyrs Mirror, ofDirk Willems saving his pursuer, an act of mercy that led to his recapture, after which he was burned at the stake nearAsperen in the present-dayNetherlands |
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Among traditional Anabaptist groups nonconformity is practiced in relation todress, the use of technology likehorse and buggy transportation instead of cars, the rejection oftelevision and radio, the use of language, that isGerman dialects likePennsylvania German,Plautdietsch and others instead of English, Spanish, or French,nonresistance,avoidance of oaths,avoidance of lawsuits, and other questions.[14]
Anabaptist groups that practice nonconformity to the world today, belong either to theOld Order Movement, the"Russian" Mennonites theHutterites or theBruderhof.[15] These groups live either in Canada and the US or in Latin America ("Russian" Mennonites).
Methodist theology traditionally emphasizes the scriptural injunction "be ye separate", which lessens temptation.[16] The doctrine of separation from the world continues to be emphasized by Methodistconnexions in theconservative holiness movement, such as theEvangelical Methodist Church Conference, which in its 2017Book of Discipline, teaches:[17]
We believe the scriptures teach a clear separation between the church and the world. Such must ever exist if the church is to make her witness felt in a world committed to evil and darkness. Chaste and holy conversation as well as honesty in business transactions are rules of this separation. In matters of entertainment and recreation, our people are to avoid such pursuits as contributes to worldliness. We admonish our people to live in carefulness as instructed in Philippians 4:8, "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Also bearing in mind Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit." Since sports have assumed a position in modern life out of all proportion to their value, our people are instructed to refrain from attendance at or participation in organized professional sports. We hold, further, that due to the influence/effect of media entertainment and social media upon spiritual life, our people should strive to harmonize with Philippians 4:8, when utilizing media devices or social media. Ungodly media entertainment and social media will be defined as those things that promote unbiblical values and philosophies. Philippians 4:8-"...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." James 4:4; I Thess. 5:22; II Cor. 6:17 —Evangelical Methodist Church Discipline (¶26-¶27)[17]
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