How does your religion tell you to deal with "heretics"?

Question

Any religion can answer.

Answer 1

In the Baha'i Faith, we have what are called Covenant Breakers. One who is a Covenant Breaker is one with a very serious, contagious spiritual disease, truly truly deeply spiritually sick. It is not super easy to become a Covenant Breaker officially, because only under very strict circumstances can a person be declared a Covenant Breaker.

"Only those who ally themselves actively with known enemies of the Faith who are Covenant-breakers, and who attack the Faith in the same spirit as these people, can be considered, themselves, to be Covenant-breakers."
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 183)

There are govening bodies of the Baha'i Faith... those at the local levels, those at the national levels, and that of the international level. According to my understanding, only the governing body at the national level can officially proclaim someone to be a Covenant Breaker.

We are to Covenant Breakers. They are like a cancer to the whole, they are to be cut out. For the sake of unity of the whole, the cancer cannot be brought back in. Their evil influence is strong and contagious, so to protect the one and the unity of the whole, we are to have nothing to do with Covenant Breakers.

"...Covenant Breaking is truly a Spiritual disease, and the whole view-point and attitude of a Covenant Breaker is so poisonous that the Master likened it to leprosy, and warned the friends to breathe the same air was dangerous. This should not be taken literally; He meant when you are close enough to breathe the same air you are close enough to contact their corrupting influence"
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 183)

I want to add this:

601. Covenant-Breakers, Defined

"People who have withdrawn from the Cause because they no longer feel that they can support its Teachings and Institutions sincerely, are not Covenant-breakers -- they are non-Bahá'ís and should just be treated as such."
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 183)

There have been a few people who have consciously left the Baha'i Faith. I have a friend who became a Baha'i, stayed Baha'i for a few years, then returned to Christianity. This is not an example of a Covenant Breaker, so we can remain friends always.

Answer 2

I'm Pagan, so I don't think there is a big issue with heresy. I don't even think it is possible to be a Pagan heretic, because it is a very tolerant path. Pagans today spend a great deal of time on personal study and research. However, if someone is doing something ignorant or dangerous for themselves or others (regardless of his or her religion), I will try do my best to be there for them.

Answer 3

Since a Heretic is someone who rejects the tenets of the Catholic Church (by definition) -- most religions embrace heresy.

Catholics used to chase down heretics and burn them. They don't do that any more.

Answer 4

If it would not hardship the guy or that they had rather not tell their very very own faith, then Christmas is effective. At any cost, a happy Christmas or Chanukah is generally an computerized factor for a desire for an stunning day. i don't have a subject with it, and that i will desire a guy or woman of a undeniable faith to have an outstanding -regardless of their trip is-. it rather is like wishing somebody of an extremely dominant faith (i.e., Christianity) a blessed solstice or Saturnalia or some thing.

Answer 5

In my belief system there are no heretics and I feel that we're all the children of God. God doesn't see the boundaries and fences that are put around beliefs the way we humans do.

Answer 6

Jesus teaches me to love other people, and to treat them just as I would like to be treated (even if they aren't treating me as I'd like). He teaches me that I am to be His witness in the world, and that the world will know His disciples by the love that they show.
Jesus also very plainly says that there will be a great many folks out there, "working", but that He doesn't know them, they are none of His.

Answer 7

Today's "heretic" is tomorrows believer.

Answer 8

this heretic is spiritualist and we treat everyone exactly how we wish to be treated our self , as wonderful human beings :o)

Answer 9

From a Christian viewpoint...

Share the love of Christ with them. If they are willing to dialog, show them Biblical passages which lead us to the Christian Teachings of the Bible.

And leave the choice (to accept or reject the Christian teachings) up to them.

Cordially,
John

Answer 10

My "religion" tells me to leave them alone. Maybe arguing a little about stupid things. But leaving them alone believe in whatever stupid thing they may believe in.