apostats

Apostats is the plural form of apostat, a term used to describe a person who renounces a religious faith, belief system, or allegiance. In English, the corresponding term is apostate and apostates; apostats appears in some languages, notably French, as the plural form. The word derives from the Greek apostatēs, meaning one who turns away, and has long been used to denote someone who abandons a religious or political affiliation.

In religious contexts, apostasy is often treated as a serious matter. Attitudes toward apostasy vary by tradition and era. In Islam, classical jurists catalogued apostasy as a crime in certain legal frameworks; modern practice ranges from no penalty to social sanction, and capital punishment is not uniformly applied. In Christianity and Judaism, apostasy is generally not criminalized, but can lead to excommunication or social exclusion within communities.

Legal and social status of apostats depends on jurisdiction. Some states maintain laws against apostasy or blasphemy, while many secular countries protect freedom of belief and allow individuals to change faith without legal penalty. Social consequences—family rejection, community shaming, or discrimination—remain common in some settings.

Contemporary debates about apostasy center on freedom of belief, human rights, and pluralism. Individuals who publicly renounce a faith or convert to another faith are often cited in discussions of religious liberty and religious tolerance.