In the Roman Catholic Church, the body of law based on the legislation of the councils (both ecumenical and local) and the popes, as well as the bishops (for diocesan matters). Click the link for more information. created new churches that at first campaigned against heresy from their own doctrinal bases over time, however, the Roman Catholic church has remained the only Christian body that has continued with any frequency, on the basis of canon law canon law, It arose from objections to doctrines and practices in the medieval church (see Roman Catholic Church) and ultimately led to the freedom of dissent (see Protestantism). Religious revolution that took place in Western Europe in the 16th cent. Click the link for more information.) in striving to suppress large-scale heresy. In the early Middle Ages investigation of heresy was a duty of the bishops.
, tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church established for the investigation of heresy. Click the link for more information., in 1208) and extensive legal and punitive campaigns (such as the Inquisition Inquisition Officially known as heretics, they were actually Cathari, Provençal adherents of a doctrine similar to the Manichaean dualistic , religious sect of S France in the Middle Ages. The medieval church undertook military action (as against the Albigenses Albigenses Click the link for more information. was the usual method of dealing with heretical individuals or small groups. Where religious and social communities are nearly identical it is attended by social ostracism, as in the case of Baruch Spinoza, excommunicated by the Jews.
Click the link for more information., was among convocations at which a Christian orthodoxy was established.įormal expulsion from a religious body, the most grave of all ecclesiastical censures. As a priest in Alexandria, Arius taught (c. It was one of the most widespread and divisive heresies in the history of Christianity. , Christian heresy founded by Arius in the 4th cent. 325), which addressed the challenge of Arianism Arianism Click the link for more information. (A.D. It has been said that 318 persons attended, but a more likely number is 225, including every Eastern bishop of importance, four The first Council of Nicaea Nicaea, First Council of,ģ25, 1st ecumenical council, convened by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great to solve the problems raised by Arianism. Click the link for more information., were in conflict. The term designates a wide assortment of sects, numerous by the 2d cent. , dualistic religious and philosophical movement of the late Hellenistic and early Christian eras. In the religion's first three centuries, numerous sects, many arising from Gnosticism Gnosticism Click the link for more information. in the New Testament. His father was a Roman citizen, probably of some means, and Paul was a tentmaker by trade. 64? or 67?, the apostle to the Gentiles, b. The battle for doctrinal control of Christianity began with the declarations of St. The heretic considers himself or herself not only a church member but, in a doctrinal controversy, the true believer indeed, some persons originally labeled heretical were rehabilitated after once abhorred views become accepted. Heresy is also distinguished from schism, which is a splitting of or from the church brought about by disputes over hierarchy or discipline, rather than over matters of doctrine. It is distinguished from apostasy, which is a complete abandonment of faith that makes the apostate a deserter, or former member. Heresy, in religion, especially in Christianity, beliefs or views held by a member of a church that contradict its orthodoxy, or core doctrines.