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Encyclopedia of Religion entry forApostateThe word has been commonly used of one who abandons or renounces the Christian faith. In the early days of Christianity persecution led many to do this. The Emperor Julian was called the Apostate because he would not accept Christianity and wished to revive paganism. In England apostasy was formerly punished by civil penalties. An apostate can still be excommunicated. Addis and Arnold distinguish three kinds of apostasy. There is apostasy from the Christian faith when one " wholly abandons the faith of Christ, and joins himself to some other law, such as Judaism, Islam, Paganism, etc." There is apostasy from ecclesiastical obedience " when a Catholic willfully and contumaciously sets at naught the authority of the Church." There is apostasy from a religious profession or from holy orders. The latter happens when one, " after having received major orders, renounces his clerical profession, and returns to the dress and customs of the world " (W. E. Addis and T. Arnold). citations: Encyc. of Rel., Canney
article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12 |
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