A new definition of apostasy and heresy: A Sociological Analysis

  Hasan A. Yahya Ph.D.

Linguistically, apostasy means a defection or revolt, the old religion. It is a general term used to describe the formal renunciation or abandonment of religion, especially if the motive is deemed unworthy. In a technical sense, used sometimes by sociologists without the word pejorative, the term refers to renunciation and criticism, or opposition to his former religion. One who commits apostasy is an apostate, or a who denies. Apostasy is generally not a self-definition: very few former believers call themselves apostates and generally consider this term pejorative. One possible reason for this resignation is a loss of faith, the other is the failure of religious indoctrination or alleged brainwashing.

The difference between apostasy and heresy is that it refers to a rejection or corruption of certain doctrines, not the complete abandonment of their religion. Heretics claim to still be following a religion (Or followers "true"), while the rebels rejected. Arab countries, I believe, are for and more apt to be described as a heresy. Although not reject Islam as a religion, but his denial daily principles of Islam. Many religious movements consider it a vice or a sin, a corruption of virtue of piety in the sense that when piety is not, apostasy is the result.

Several religious groups and even some states punish apostates. Apostates can be rejected by the members of his former religious group or for worse. This may be the official policy of religious group or can occur spontaneously, due to some way to psychosocial factors. Historically, the crime is punishable by death. The Catholic Church may in certain circumstances, to respond to apostasy by excommunicating the apostate while the writings of both ancient Judaism (Deuteronomy 13:6-10) and Islam (Al-Bukhari, Diyat, Sextion 6) applying the death penalty for apostasy. Reliability the testimony of apostates is an important and controversial issue in the study of apostasy in cults and new religious movements.

The term also is used to refer to the renunciation of belief in a cause other than voluntarily professed religion that any form of allegiance, especially in politics. By However, some atheists and agnostics use the term "disappointment" to describe the loss of faith in a religion. Describing himself as "free thinkers "and those who can see traditional religion may be seen as a negative gain of rationality and respect for scientific method. Other terms for out of faith and associated processes are treated the religious disaffiliation.

In sociological terms, as the German philosopher and sociologist Max Scheler, the American sociologist Lewis A. Coser argues that an apostate is not only a person who has undergone a drastic change in beliefs, but "a man who, even in its new state of belief, not spiritually alive in the first place in the content of this faith in the pursuit of objectives appropriate for him, but only in the fight against the old faith and reasons for its denial. "

A second American sociologist Stuart A. Wright says that apostasy is a phenomenon unique and a different kind of religious defection, in which the apostate a deserter, which is aligned with an opposition coalition in an effort to expand conflict, and embraces the public claims-making activities to attack his former band. "

A third American sociologist defines the role apostate follows and differs from desertion and the role of complainant. David G. Bromley makes a difference by defining each concept. For him, a role is an apostate that occurs in a highly polarized one member organization shall make a total change of loyalties by allying with one or more elements a coalition of opposition without the consent or control of the organization. The account is documenting the quintessential essence of evil in the former organization apostates who recounts the personal experience of the last apostate and escape capture and rescue. Although the role Deserter is a participating organization negotiates out first with the authorities of the organization, which grant permission for the return of function, control the production process, and facilitate the role transmission. The jointly constructed narrative assigns primary responsibility for the moral problems role-playing to the outgoing members and interprets the authorization organization's commitment to the extraordinary preservation of moral standards and public confidence. However, the role of the termination is defined here as one in which a member organization of an alliance with an external control unit by offering a personal testimony about people, practices challenged organization that are used to punish organization. The narrative constructed jointly by the informant and the regulations is an organization representing the plaintiff as motivated by personal conscience and the organization of the public interest.

My definition can summarize the above definitions, Apostasy is a state of things, the wider community to understand, when a person tries to reduce faith before or criticize the reasoning and rational reasons, according to this definition Apostate is the leading innovator, a creator of ideas and knowledge nobler and wider world. (Yahya 2009), This is a situation that has been taken out of the understanding mental level of understanding of human understanding more divine spiritual world. In saying this I mean that the level of understanding of religion and faith, or ideology policy is limited to human understanding, which is covered by the bias and emotional support rather than theoretical understanding of the world. I believe that apostates are qualified with the gift to jump in the frontiers of thinking small areas at a higher volume to understand the world. Here too, I mean, that apostates More understanding philosophical world and its evolution. According to these definitions, I think, serum rebels attack particular religions or beliefs, they had in mind the objectives.

In the case of Salman Rushd, writing his masterpiece, The Satanic Verses, innovative writer, who was one goal in mind. Seeing the world's Muslims are becoming heretics, where Muslims are practicing medieval practices, far from the truth of Islam. I think Rushdie in his book, he wanted to jump the Muslim world of their heretical practices and return to the principles of Islam. I'd like to share this idea. In fact, Muslims must get rid of ignorance, self-defeating, and heretics in their daily practice and immerse yourself in justice, human rights and freedom that God gives to all human beings on earth. Anwar el-Sadat of Egypt, is another example, Sadat knew, the ability of Arab leaders and their emotions. In fact, he discovered early in their relations with Israel heretics. Their action, however, were punished heretics, who had limited knowledge of the world. The assassination of Sadat, but also the land, their knowledge of the world is powerful, and what we see in these days is the translation of his vision.

In conclusion, the Muslim world needs tens of Salman Rushdie and the same Sadat, shaking the Arab and Muslim world, and raising new generations to create a new path to freedom, democracy, equality and justice. If Osama bin Laden, was taken to the extreme destruction of changing the world Muslim, Salman Rushdie and Sadat were well below the creation of new approaches to understanding the world in a constructive manner. Traditionally, however, ignorance is promoted among some people, informed people are unjustly persecuted and described as apostates and atheists, which is far from the truth. Apostates are not just philosophers with a noble cause, they are free thinkers and innovators, the world would remain the same without them. (1256 words) www.dryahyatv.com

1-3-10 The Republic Betrayed – Propaganda & Language

The Impact Of Organizational Politics On Mentoring Relationships. $90.95 The Impact Of Organizational Politics On Mentoring Relationships.