A Review and Critique of the Idea of Heresy in Catholic Christianity

Religion is a natural and deeply rooted fact، on which many people around the world rely. One way to shorten the distance between the followers of different religions is to recognize their teachings and worldview through their sources. Embracing and abandoning or adopting and rejecting a religion are among the important issues of religions. In Catholic sect، heresy means complete rejection of Christian faith by one who has already baptized. The nature of heresy will be clearer when it is compared with innovation and disruption. The idea of heresy is mentioned in religious and legal sources of Catholic Christianity and has had the same injunction in its historical evolution during different periods. However، the imposition of this injunction has been different based on the relationship between Church and rulers and the rate of rulers'' devotion to religion. Irrationality of main teachings of Christianity، the fading away of beliefs، excess in punishment، and the way a cruel person was treated are noted as the influential factors for heresy. Using a library method and historical-transmitted approach، the present paper seeks to recognize، review and criticize the idea of heresy in Catholic Christianity.