Word for an opinion on a subject which, by definition, divides a group of people [closed]
Solution 1:
Perhaps the word you are looking for is shibboleth:
a custom, principle, or belief distinguishing a particular class or group of people, especially a long-standing one regarded as outmoded or no longer important.
(from the Oxford Dictionaries web site). The word means "ear of corn" in Hebrew; it was considered difficult for foreigners to pronounce properly, so the Gileadites used it to detect Ephraimite refugees and slay them. See Judges Chapter 12 for the full story.
Solution 2:
If you are looking for an adjective I think you may use divisive:
- causing a lot of disagreement between people and causing them to separate into different groups.
(M-W)
Solution 3:
A wedge issue is one which actively (as opposed to passively) divides people into polarized groups. A typical one in American politics is abortion, another is gun control.
A wedge issue is a political or social issue, often of a controversial or divisive nature, which splits apart a demographic or population group.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedge_issue
Solution 4:
If you are looking for a noun for the division (besides division), perhaps you are thinking of schism? Google defines it as
a split or division between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief.
At one time it applied more specifically to divisions within a church, and that's still sometimes the first definition in dictionaries1, but I think Google's definition captures a fairly common popular usage. The implication of a very deep division based on an ideological difference of opinion would seem to suit your question.
Usefully, according to the OED this noun has already been verbed:
Obs. rare. intr. To separate schismatically.
1604 H. Jacob Reasons 77 He that differeth from the Gospell ioyneth not to the Church, but schismeth from it.
And there is also the much more common adjective, schismatic.
Thus you could say something like
The schism between Republicans and Democrats over taxation seems unlikely to resolve anytime soon.
Or
Congress has schismed over the issue of taxation.
Or
The schismatic issue of taxation is polarizing voters.
- The OED Online actually first lists an older, biblical sense of "a (metaphorical) rent or cleft."
Solution 5:
I'm not 100% sure of what you want but if none of the above answers fit, what you might want is "litmus test" in the following senses:
From Merriam-Webster: a test in which a single factor (as an attitude, event, or fact) is decisive
Or: From Wikipedia: a question asked of a potential candidate for high office, the answer to which would determine whether the nominating official would proceed with the appointment or nomination.
It is, of course, used as an analogy to the litmus test in chemistry to describe a question or issue that divides people into two camps.