Heresy facts for kids
Heresy is a word used by different religious groups. It describes someone who has ideas that are different from what the religion or law teaches. Such a person is known as a heretic.
In the Middle Ages, it was common to accuse someone of heresy. If the accusations were proven, the person would go through a ritual. Sometimes, harsh methods were used to get confessions. The ritual was done to try and save the soul of the person. This often involved being burned while tied to a post.
Even today, in the 21st century, some Muslims who leave their faith (called apostasy) are treated very harshly. They can even face death.
Contents
Famous Cases of Heresy
Jesus Christ was seen as a heretic by the Jewish leaders of his time. You can read about this in the Gospel of Matthew 26:57-67.
The Roman Catholic Church faced challenges from early Christian ideas it considered heretical. Examples include Monophysitism and Arianism. These were different ways of understanding Jesus Christ.
Protestant Views on Heresy
The Catholic Church sees several ideas in Protestantism as heresies. Here are some key differences:
- Bible vs. Tradition: Protestants believe only the scripture (the Bible) is important for faith (this is called sola scriptura). The Catholic Church says that traditions are also very important.
- Faith vs. Deeds: Protestants believe that faith alone is enough to be saved (sola fide). Catholics believe that good deeds are also necessary.
- Priesthood: Protestants believe that anyone can be a priest if they are baptized. In the Catholic and Orthodox churches, priests are specially ordained. This means not everyone is a priest, even if they are baptized.
- Mass: Protestants do not believe in Transubstantiation during mass (liturgy). This is the Catholic belief that the bread and wine truly become the body and blood of Christ.
- Roman Missal: Some Protestants believe that the Roman Missal, which is a book of prayers and rituals for Catholic Mass, contains heresies.
Protecting the Church
After the Protestant Reformation, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was created in the Roman Catholic Church. Its job is to protect the Church from ideas it considers heresies. This group is the final authority on what is a heresy and how to deal with it.
Images for kids
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The Gospel triumphs over Heresia and the Serpent. Gustaf Vasa Church, Stockholm, Sweden, sculpture by Burchard Precht
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A statue in Vienna portraying Saint Ignatius of Loyola trampling on a heretic
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Former German Catholic friar Martin Luther was famously excommunicated as a heretic by Pope Leo X by his papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem in 1520. To this day, the papal decree has not been rescinded.
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Cristiano Banti's 1857 painting Galileo facing the Roman Inquisition.
See also
In Spanish: Herejía en el catolicismo para niños
