heresy
HAIR-uh-see
/ˈhɛrəsi/
Belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine, or an opinion at odds with accepted standards.
Implies a active deviation from an established baseline standard, often provoking severe institutional opposition.
The story behind the word. Derived from Greek 'hairesis', meaning 'a choice' or 'a school of thought'. Early Greek philosophers used it neutrally to describe choosing a particular school of philosophy. Christian writers later shifted its meaning to 'choosing an unauthorized personal view over church doctrine'.
Word relationships
- dissidence: Dissidence is political or social disagreement, while heresy specifically targets doctrine or fundamental orthodoxy.
- heterodoxy: Heterodoxy is a formal academic term for non-standard belief; heresy carries stronger connotations of condemnation.
- orthodoxy: Orthodoxy is adherence to traditional and accepted doctrine.
Commonly confused with
- apostasy: Apostasy is total abandonment of one's religion; heresy is holding an unauthorized variation of it.
Word family
- heretic (noun): A person who holds beliefs contrary to orthodox doctrine.
- heretical (adjective): Holding or expressing heresy.
Collocations
- commit heresy
- brand as heresy
- economic heresy
- charge of heresy
Example sentences
- "Galileo’s assertion that the Earth revolved around the Sun was declared a heresy by church authorities." History of science
- "Suggesting that the company abandon its core product was seen as corporate heresy." Corporate innovation
Memory hook
In HERESY, you choose YOUR OWN HAIRE (hair/choice) rather than the church's rule. Heresy = dangerous personal choice.
When not to use
Do not use for complete unbelief or atheism; heresy requires holding a divergent version of an existing system.
Fun facts
- Originally, 'heresy' simply meant making a choice — it carried no negative judgment at all!
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