Apostasy
Apostasy is the act of leaving a religion, either to convert to another religion, or to atheism, deism, or agnosticism.
In some theocratic countries apostasy is punishable by death. In most religions, apostasy is punishable by eternal damnation, a fate worse than death.
Sources defining and discussing the standard meaning of apostasy:
Merriam-Webster - apostasy (merriam-webster.com)
Dictionary.com apostasy (dictionary.com)
TheFreeDictionary.com apostasy (thefreedictionary.com)
Merriam-Webster - apostate (merriam-webster.com)
Dictionary.com apostate (dictionary.com)
Your Dictionary: Apostasy (yourdictionary.com)
Wikipedia - apostasy (wikipedia.org)
Wikipedia - Apostasy in Judaism (Wikipedia.org)
Wikipedia - Apostasy in Islam (Wikipedia.org)
PewResearchCenter Which countries still outlaw apostasy and blasphemy? by Angelina E. Theodorou (pewreasearch.org)
Apologetics Index: Apostasy (apologeticsindex.org) includes apostasy from cults and cultic responses to those who have apostatized from their ranks
Mormon Think: apostasy (mormonthink.com) Article discussing phenomenon of apostasy from the ranks of the Latter-Day Saints, and how the LDS Church defines "apostasy".
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology: Apostasy. Mark W. Karlberg (biblestudytools.com)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Apostasy; Apostate. Dwight M. Pratt (biblestudytools.com)
Catholic Encyclopedia: Apostasy (newadvent.org) This article defines multiple meanings of apostasy.
"Apostasy" misused
The word "Apostasy" and "Apostate" does not properly apply to anyone or to any church that (still) claims the name of Christian, however false their claim to be Christian might be. For example, those whom Paul called "false brethren, false apostles" (Galatians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 11:12-15). They may have departed from the truth, they may be guilty of formal and material heresy, they may have rejected every Christian doctrine, belief and practice in their teaching and preaching, they may be liars, they may be virtual atheists, but if they have been baptized and have not renounced the name of Christian they are not actually guilty of apostasy—even if some have ignorantly and improperly abused this word by saying they are "apostates".
Many writers have redefined the following terms as equal to and synonymous with apostasy. They are not.
- spiritual indifference
- sloth
- failures to practice the faith
- deliberate refusal to practice the faith or to participate in public worship or witness to Christ
- superstition
- hypocrisy
- crime
- heresy
- blasphemy and
- sacrilege
See examples of this improper usage in the following articles:
- Christian Crier: What Is Apostasy? A Biblical Definition. Article by Jack Wellman (patheos.com)
CARM Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry: Apostasy in the Christian Church, by Matt Slick (carm.org)
Heresy is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of one or more or almost all of the truths of the faith.
Apostasy is the obstinate, post-baptismal, total repudiation of Christianity, and the absolute rejection of the name and identity of "Christian". An apostate wants nothing to do with Christianity.