Socinian

The movement founded upon the teachings of the Italian lay-theologian Lelio Sozzini, in the early days of the Reformation (he was acquainted with Calvin, Melancthon and Bullinger) but found fertile soil only later in Poland where his nephew founded the first congregation. Socinism, however, have wide influence across Europe, finding favour even with well-known thinkers like Isaac Newton in England. The movement's influece began to fade by the end of the 19th Cent.

Its teaching is characterised by a rationalist interpretation of Scriptures, rejection of the deity of Christ (though the revelation of God, Jesus was just a man), rejection of the death of the soul with the body except for those who persevered in obedience to Jesus's teachings, and a strong belief in the separation of state and church.