What does the word "apostasy" mean?

Question

I was just curious if this is a word that everybody knows and has the same definition of, or if I need to add a little more description when I use it in my answers.

Thanks

Answer 1

"to fall away"

Answer 2

Why not go to Wikipedia for one-word definitions, like I did?:

Apostasy is a term generally employed to describe the formal renunciation of one's religion, especially if the motive is deemed unworthy. In a technical sense, as used by sociologists without the sometimes pejorative connotations of the word, the term refers to renunciation and criticism of, or opposition to one's former religion.

Answer 3

Apostasy (from Greek αποστασία, meaning a defection or revolt , from απο, apo, "away, apart", στασις, stasis, "standing") is a term generally employed to describe the formal renunciation of one's religion, especially if the motive is deemed unworthy. In a technical sense, as used by sociologists without the sometimes pejorative connotations of the word, the term refers to renunciation and criticism of, or opposition to one's former religion. One who commits apostasy is an apostate, or one who apostatises. In older Western literature, the term typically referred to baptized Christians who left their faith. Apostasy is generally not a self-definition: very few former believers call themselves apostates and they generally consider this term to be a pejorative. One of the possible reasons for this renunciation is loss of faith, another is the alleged failure of religious indoctrination and/or brainwashing.

Answer 4

4 results for: apostasy
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1) - Cite This Source new!
a‧pos‧ta‧sy  /əˈpɒstəsi/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-pos-tuh-see] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun, plural -sies. a total desertion of or departure from one's religion, principles, party, cause, etc.


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[Origin: 1350–1400; ME apostasye (< AF) < LL apostasia < Gk: a standing away, withdrawing, equiv. to apóstas(is) (apo- apo- + sta- stand + -sis -sis) + -ia -ia]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source new! a·pos·ta·sy (-pst-s) Pronunciation Key
n. pl. a·pos·ta·sies
Abandonment of one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause.


[Middle English apostasie, from Old French, from Late Latin apostasia, defection, from Late Greek apostasi, from Greek apostasis, revolt, from aphistanai, aposta-, to revolt : apo-, apo- + histanai, to stand, place; see st- in Indo-European Roots.]

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Dictionary.com Word of the Day Archive - Cite This Source new!
apostasy

apostasy was Word of the Day on July 18, 2002.

Dictionary.com Word of the Day
WordNet - Cite This Source new!
apostasy

n 1: the state of having rejected your religious beliefs or your political party or a cause (often in favor of opposing beliefs or causes) [syn: renunciation, defection] 2: the act of abandoning a party or cause [syn: tergiversation]

Answer 5

In a nutshell, apostasy is the act of rebelling against, forsaking, abandoning, or falling away from what one has believed.

Answer 6

faithlessness. New American Standard Bible.
An abandoning of what one has believed in , as a faith, a cause, or a principle- New World Dictionary Second College Edition

Answer 7

apostasy - the state of having rejected your religious beliefs or your political party or a cause (often in favor of opposing beliefs or causes).

I don't think it is widely known, though I personally use it quite a lot. I think you should probably define it.

Answer 8

Apostasy means 'religious prostitution'. It refers to when one loses their former loyalty to their religion in favor of another, and continuing to do so.

Answer 9

It means when people have fallen away from the truth -- then they've gone into apostasy

Answer 10

Off the top of my head, I would say it means a falling away from one's religious faith.

Answer 11

Defection. Specifically defection from a belief.