heretic

Heretic is a term used to describe a person whose religious beliefs diverge from the established doctrine of a religious community. The word derives from the Latin haereticus and the Greek haerētikos, from haerēsis “a choice,” “a sect,” related to hairein “to take” or choose. In English, the term carries a historically negative connotation and implies deviation from accepted orthodoxy.

In Christian history, a heretic is someone whose beliefs are judged contrary to the defined creed of the church. Orthodoxy was maintained through ecclesiastical authority, councils, and doctrinal statements. Those labeled heretics could face social and legal penalties, including excommunication, exclusion from community life, and, at times, civil punishment or execution, depending on period and region. Notable examples include arguments around the nature of Christ (Arianism), Marian and Christological debates, and various medieval movements such as the Cathars. These disputes helped shape creeds and councils, such as those at Nicaea and later the ecumenical councils.

Outside Christianity, the term has been used to describe dissent from any dominant religious or ideological system. In modern usage, it more often describes nonconformity or dissent in a descriptive rather than legal sense. The label can be applied in scholarly contexts to analyze power relations, doctrinal enforcement, and the social dynamics of dissent.

Today, the term is frequently viewed critically for implying moral judgment or a need to punish deviation. Many religious groups emphasize freedom of belief, pluralism, and internal reform rather than coercive penalties. The historical use of “heretic” remains a reminder of how beliefs and authorities influence social cohesion and conflict.