Christianity Islam Judaism Hinduism Buddhism

Heresy & Apostasy

What happens when a believer departs from accepted doctrine? Every tradition has mechanisms for defining orthodoxy and responding to deviation. Heresy and apostasy raise fundamental questions about community boundaries, the nature of truth, and whether faith can be compelled or must be freely given.

Across the World's Religions

Christianity
Practice
Heresy (hairesis) — deviation from creedal orthodoxy
Key Text
Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Peter 2:1; Titus 3:10
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Islam
Practice
Riddah (apostasy) and bid'ah (innovation in religion)
Key Text
Quran 2:217, 3:86-91
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Judaism
Practice
Apikoros (heretic) and mumar (apostate) in Halakha
Key Text
Deuteronomy 13:6-11; Sanhedrin 99a
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Hinduism
Practice
Nastika (heterodox) vs Astika (orthodox) schools
Key Text
Bhagavad Gita 16:7-20; Brahma Sutra 2.2
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Buddhism
Practice
Schism (sanghabheda) as gravest communal transgression
Key Text
Vinaya Pitaka, Sanghadisesa 10-11; AN 10.39
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