Sentence for heresy

Answer 1

Roman Catholic AnswerOne would think that just the possibility of spending eternity in hell enduring everlasting torture and pain would be more than enough sentence. As for the sentence here, on earth, it is nothing more than that which is requested by the heretic, himself, which would be excommunication from Christ's Church.

from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980

Heresy. Commonly refers to a doctrinal belief held in opposition to the recognized standards of an establish system of thought. Theologically it means an opinion at variance with the authorized teachings of any church, notably the Christian, and especially when this promotes separation from the main body of faithful believers.

In the Roman Catholic Church, heresy has a very specific meaning. Anyone who, after receiving baptism, while remaining nominally a Christian, pertinaciously denies or doubts any of the truths that must be believed with divine and Catholic faith is considered a heretic. Accordingly four elements must be verified to constitute formal heresy; previous valid baptism, which need not have been in the Catholic Church; external profession of still being a Christian, otherwise a person becomes an apostate; outright denial or positive doubt regarding a truth that the Catholic Church has actually proposed as revealed by God; and the disbelief must be morally culpable, where a nominal Christian refuses to accept what he knows is a doctrinal imperative.

Objectively, therefore, to become a heretic in the strict canonical sense and be excommunicated from the faithful, one must deny or question a truth that is taught not merely on the authority of the Church but on the word of God revealed in the Scriptures or sacred tradition. Subjectively a person must recognize his obligation to believe. If he acts in good faith, as with most persons brought up in non-Catholic surroundings, the heresy is only material and implies neither guilt nor sin against faith. (Etym. Latin haeresis, from the Greek hairesis, a taking, choice, sect, heresy.)

Non secular answer.

Heresy is an act or change against any given established system or believe, in particular religious belief, which conflicts with the current dogma.

A sentence using the word could be:

"Martin Luther committed an act of heresy when he nailed his theses to the church door."

A sentence or punishment against someone that commits an act of heresy would depend on the perceived seriousness of the act.