Heresy

"Heresy" means ideas or actions that do not agree with traditional religious doctrines. Some religious groups use the word "heresy" to describe beliefs that challenge theirs. A person who has these beliefs is called a heretic.

Galileo Galilei convicted of heresy

Burning of Jan Hus at the Council of Constance, 1415. Historical drawing

History

Jewish leaders during Jesus's lifetime called him a heretic because he did not preach traditional Judaism, according to the Gospel of Matthew (26:57-67).

In its first few centuries, the Roman Catholic Church accused religious doctrines like Monophysitism^[1] and Arianism^[2] of heresy. Later, throughout the Middle Ages, they accused a number of other religious sects (like the Cathars) of being heretical.^[3] In the 11th and 12th centuries, thousands of people were burned at the stake for heresy.^[4] This execution ritual was supposedly meant to save the heretic's soul. Under torture, many people accused of heresy falsely confessed.

As a result of the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church created the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.^[5] It is the official doctrine that decides what heresy is and how to deal with it.^[5]

Still in the 21st century, Muslims who apostatize are often treated very harshly and frequently killed.

Catholicism and Protestantism

The Catholic Church sees several heresies in Protestantism. For example:^[6]

• Protestants claim only scripture (the Bible) is relevant for the faith (sola scriptura); the Catholic Church says traditions are also important.^[7]
• Protestants say that belief is enough to be saved (sola fide). Catholics say that good deeds are necessary as well.
• Protestants say that any baptised person can be a priest. In the Catholic and Orthodox churches, priests are ordained. This means that some people are not priests, even though they have been baptised.
• According to Protestants, there is no Transubstantiation during mass (liturgy).

The Roman Missal contains heresies, according to Protestants.