Definitions for: Heretic

[n] a person who holds religious beliefs in conflict with the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church
[n] a person who holds unorthodox opinions in any field (not merely religion)

Webster (1913) Definition: Her"e*tic, n. [L. haereticus, Gr. ? able to choose,
heretical, fr. ? to take, choose: cf. F. h['e]r['e]tique. See
Heresy.]
1. One who holds to a heresy; one who believes some doctrine
contrary to the established faith or prevailing religion.

A man that is an heretic, after the first and second
admonition, reject. --Titus iii.
10.

2. (R. C. Ch.) One who having made a profession of Christian
belief, deliberately and pertinaciously refuses to believe
one or more of the articles of faith ``determined by the
authority of the universal church.'' --Addis & Arnold.

Syn: Heretic, Schismatic, Sectarian.

Usage: A heretic is one whose errors are doctrinal, and
usually of a malignant character, tending to subvert
the true faith. A schismatic is one who creates a
schism, or division in the church, on points of faith,
discipline, practice, etc., usually for the sake of
personal aggrandizement. A sectarian is one who
originates or is an ardent adherent and advocate of a
sect, or distinct organization, which separates from
the main body of believers.

Synonyms: misbeliever, religious outcast

See Also: castaway, Ishmael, nonconformist, outcast, pariah, recusant

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