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A heresy is a belief or doctrine that is considered to be false or erroneous by one or more Christian denominations, i.e. what is believed to be contrary to the teaching of Christianity. Heresies have been a major source of division and conflict within Christendom throughout its history.
Heresy in Christianity denotes the formal denial or doubt of a core doctrine of the Christian faith [1] as defined by one or more of the Christian churches. [2]The study of heresy requires an understanding of the development of orthodoxy and the role of creeds in the definition of orthodox beliefs, since heresy is always defined in relation to orthodoxy.
Heresy in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam has at times been met with censure ranging from excommunication to the death penalty. [3] Heresy is distinct from apostasy, which is the explicit renunciation of one's religion, principles or cause; [4] and from blasphemy, which is an impious utterance or action concerning God or sacred things. [5]
Dealt as heresy by Hippolytus of Rome: Sethian: Belief that the snake in the Garden of Eden (Satan) was an agent of the true God and brought knowledge of truth to man via the fall of man: Syrian sect drawing their origin from the Ophites: Dealt as heresy by Irenaeus, Hippolytus, and Philaster: Sect is founded around the Apocalypse of Adam. Ophites
Heresy, for Scripture and the early Church, includes the idea of a personal decision against the unity of the Church, and heresy's characteristic is pertinacia, the obstinacy of him who persists in his own private way. This, however, cannot be regarded as an appropriate description of the spiritual situation of the Protestant Christian.
The Arabic word ghulat is used by Shia Muslims for beliefs perceived as being extremely heterodox (more in line with the Christian use of the word "heresy").In particular, the term is used to describe the beliefs of minority Muslim groups who ascribe divine characteristics to a member of Muhammad's family (especially Ali) or the early companions of the Prophet such as Salman the Persian.
In theology or the history of religion, heresiology is the study of heresy, and heresiographies are writings about the topic. Heresiographical works were common in both medieval Christianity and Islam. Heresiology developed as a part of the emerging definition of Christian orthodoxy.
Heresy was a religious, political, and social issue, so "the first stirrings of violence against dissidents were usually the result of popular resentment." [9]: 189 There are many examples of this popular resentment involving mobs murdering heretics.