heretics

Heresy is a belief or practice that deviates from the accepted doctrine of a religious community as determined by its authorities. The term derives from Latin haeresis, from Greek haeresis meaning a choice or school of thought, and in Christian usage has come to denote doctrinal deviation from an officially proclaimed creed.

Throughout much of Christian history, heresy carried significant social and legal consequences. Authorities defined orthodoxy, convened ecumenical or regional councils to settle doctrinal disputes, and punished dissent with excommunication, social ostracism, or civil penalties. The Inquisition and various regional tribunals sought to suppress alternative interpretations. Notable historical episodes include the Arian controversy over the nature of Christ, Donatist and Cathar movements, and the later Husite and Protestant challenges to Catholic authority; in some cases, individuals labeled heretics were executed or imprisoned.

Outside Christianity, the label is used less uniformly, but related concepts exist. Some Islamic and Jewish traditions distinguish between acceptable doctrinal dispute and dangerous deviation. The word has also been used in secular contexts to describe political or social dissent framed as religious error. In modern times, many societies have adopted legal frameworks that protect freedom of belief, while many religious communities prefer internal dialogue or exclusion rather than state punishment. Notable examples of perceived doctrinal enforcement include historical episodes in which science or philosophy clashed with church authority, such as the Galileo affair, illustrating how claims of truth and authority have intersected with questions of belief.

Heresy remains a contested and context-dependent term, often reflecting power dynamics as much as genuine disagreement about doctrine. The distinction between heresy, apostasy, and doctrinal reform remains a feature of ongoing theological debate.