Anticlericalism (or anti-clericalism) is a political attitude and movement that is hostile to Christian ministers or clergy ("clerics"), especially Catholic priests. The main attack of anticlericalism is those churches or clergy that have political power or are closely associated with the State. For example, this negative attitude toward church officials began in Europe in the 18th century, especially in France, where the Republican forces resented the political power of the Roman Catholic Church and its support of the French monarchy. So, after the French Revolution of 1789, the Catholic Church and clergy lost its privileges.

In general, anticlericalism has been a response to the church and clergy being too close to political power, becoming wealthy and powerful in a worldly sense, supporting the conservative power structure rather than representing Christ to the world and being meek, humble, and spiritual.

In other countries, anticlericalism attacked the official church and sought to strip it of its worldly wealth and power. In Spain and Portugal, between 1830 and 1870, attempts were made to limit the power of the Catholic Church in politics. In Latin America, national independence movements often coincided with attacks on the Catholic Church, which was seen as defending the Spanish Empire. So, in Mexico, for example, the revolution for independence went hand-in-hand with abolishing church control of government, though the social and cultural influence of Catholicism continued.

In the United States of America, anticlericalism has never been strong, partly because legal separation of church and state prevented the clergy from having formal political power. Even in those states that had official churches (e.g., Connecticut, Virginia, and Massachusetts), the ministers seldom ruled directly and were at the forefront of popular, democratic movements (such as the Revolutionary War). Consequently, freedom of religion in America has produced a generally positive image of clergy, respect for religious institutions, and pervasive social and cultural influence by the church. Criticism of particular denominations or church leaders (especially when they get too involved in politics, like Marion "Pat" Robertson running for president) is common in the United States, but public opinion polls consistently reveal a high regard for ministers in general. The closest thing to anticlericalism in the United States is some radical Protestant church's belief in the "priesthood of all believers" and resistance to a full-time, professional clergy. Quakers, Mormons, some Baptists, and Disciples fear the sharp distinction between ordained clergy and laity (ordinary church members) because it introduces an unhealthy hierarchy in the church and authority in the clergy. Most U.S. churches avoid this by democratically appointing their ministers.

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