Non-conformist

From open-encyclopedia.com - the free encyclopedia.

A non-conformist is someone who chooses not to conform to a set of beliefs or practices of a greater society.

If the issue is considered critical, such as loyalty to a nation or support for current laws, the non-conformist is often termed a "rebel" of a society and may be considered dangerous to maintaining social order. Unlike an anti-conformist, who chooses to not conform to society simply for the sake of not conforming (ironically resulting in the conformation of anti-conformists), non-conformists choose not to conform to society because they simply do not always agree with society.

In British history, the term generally refers to a member of a Protestant congregation not affiliated with the Church of England.

See also: dissident