Middle East Information Resource
Religions/Belief Systems - Nonconformism
Nonconformism is a term referring generally to the position of all those Christian practices (in Britain) which do not conform to the doctrines of the Church of England. Before the Act of Uniformity was passed in 1662 they were called `Puritans` or `Dissenters.` They were often persecuted, and in any event did not enjoy freedom of religious practice.
The Nonconformists included the Baptists, the Independents, and the Presbyterians. The Methodists did not initially consider themselves amongst the Nonconformists, but eventually came to identify with the Nonconformists.