why do people call explanations, and support of belief apologetics/?

Question

Such as Mormon apologetics, Catholic apologetics, christian apologetics? Isnt apologizing being sorry for something? how did this word come about?

Answer 1

The term apologetics comes from the Greek apologia, which means "defense" or "answer." Apologetics is the task of defending a particular idea or belief system and answering its critics. The origin of the concept of apologetics lies in the beginnings of Christianity. Between the second and fourth century, a number of Christian teachers wrote defenses of Christianity against pagan critics.
www.calvarychapel.com/redbarn/terms.htm

Answer 2

Apologetics is not feeling sorry and apologizing for something.

Apologetics is the field of study concerned with the systematic defense of a position. Someone who engages in apologetics is called an apologist or an "apologete". The term comes from the Greek word apologia

Apologetics has traditionally argued positively to quell believers' doubts and negatively against opposing beliefs to remove obstacles to conversion. It attempts to take objections to Christianity seriously without giving ground to skepticism. Biblical apologetics defended Christianity as the culmination of Judaism, with Jesus as the Messiah. The Early Church Fathers were all apologists.

Modern apologists are from many points of view in many Christian traditions, too many to discuss here. Go read this article:

http://www.answers.com/topic/apologetics

Answer 3

The term comes from the Greek word apologia (απολογία), meaning defense of a position against an attack.

It does sound confusing though since we are used to apologies(ask forgiveness) coming from the same root word.

Answer 4

It comes from the Greek "apologia" meaning a defence of a position. Nothing to do with feeling sorry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apologetics

Answer 5

The meaning you mention is the commonest meaning of the term in modern english. But if you look up the word "apology" in a good English dictionary you will find the alternate meaning, "a formal defense or explanation", which was more commonly used in times past.

Answer 6

It comes from the word apologia and means to give a reason or defense.