obscurantism

[ uh b-skyoo r-uh n-tiz-uh m, ob-skyoo-ran-tiz-uh m ]

/ əbˈskyʊər ənˌtɪz əm, ˌɒb skyʊˈræn tɪz əm /

opposition to the increase and spread of knowledge.

deliberate obscurity or evasion of clarity.

Origin of obscurantism

1825–35; < French obscurantisme; see obscurant, -ism

ob·scu·rant·ist, noun, adjective

As they were only talking to themselves, obscurantism increased on a par with poverty and its ills.

Israel’s Religious Zionist Vs. Ultra-Orthodox Rift |Rabbi Daniel Landes |February 7, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Look where you will, immeasurable Obscurantism is girdling this fair France; which, again, will not be girdled by it.

The French Revolution |Thomas Carlyle
It is in itself an argument which has no necessary connexion with obscurantism.

Outspoken Essays |William Ralph Inge
The obscurantism placed upon sexual matters has caused more physical and mental distress than most of our organic diseases.

The Necessity of Atheism |Dr. D.M. Brooks

For simply differing from the obscurantism of his age, and having opinions of his own.

In the Heart of Vosges |Matilda Betham-Edwards
Most significant of all, Vambéry found even the secluded women of the harems, "those bulwarks of obscurantism," notably changed.

The New World of Islam |Lothrop Stoddard