How did the Church respond to the heresies?

Answer 1

Roman Catholic AnswerHeresy is the same today as it was yesterday. It is the denial or doubt of some truth of the Catholic faith by a baptized Christian.

from

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

2089

Incredulity is the neglect of revealed truth or the willful refusal to assent to it. "Heresy is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and Catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him." (Codex Iuris Canonici, canon 751: emphasis added.)
From the 1983 Code of Canon Law:

"Heresy is the obstinate denial or doubt after the reception of baptism of some truth which is to be believed by divine and Catholic faith."

Answer 2

Since the beginnings of the Church, there have been those who refute or challenge its religious teachings. Sometimes called heretics, these people were viewed as extremely dangerous by the early clergy. It was believed that these individuals, if not stopped, caused severe spiritual and societal damage. As a result, heretics were dealt with harshly. Punishments started with, at the very least, excommunication and could be leveled up all the way to death.

Answer 3

A:

Where possible, the early Church leaders sought to excommunicate those it regarded as heretics. The fear of excommunication was enough to keep most in line, not only because this meant hell in the afterlife, but because Christians could commit any crime against the person or his property, without fear of punishment. Murder was also an effective and popular way of fighting heresy. Eventually, the Inquisition was instituted as a further weapon against Christian diversity.

As an example, Arius taught that Jesus was created by God. A majority of Church leaders held at the time that Jesus was eternal and co-existent with God, and so Arius was excommunicated. With the Church split, Emperor Constantine issued an absolute command that Arius should be solemnly admitted to the communion in the cathedral of Constantinople. On the day which had been fixed for the admission of Arius, he died in suspicious circumstances.

The fourth century Spanish bishop Priscillian of Avila, who had Gnostic tendencies, was burnt at the stake as a 'Manichee'.

Strictly speaking, the Cathars of southern France were not doing anything that was outside the bounds of Christianity, but they did pose a threat to Rome's domination of western Christianity. The Albigensian Crusade was launched in 1209 to eliminate the Cathars. Large numbers of the Parfaits (Cathar leaders) were captured and burned, but the persecutions were not systematic enough to eliminate them. The Inquisition was set up to root out the remnants and was subsequently used against other heresies.

It must always be remembered that what is 'heresy' depends on who won. For example, if the views of Arius succeeded, as well they might have, then Trinitarianism would now be the heresy.

Answer 4

This depends on the time period you are speaking about. In former times, the response could be as severe as torture or murder. In modern times, however, the greatest penalty is excommunication.

Answer 5

Roman Catholic AnswerHeresy is the same today as it was yesterday. It is the denial or doubt of some truth of the Catholic faith by a baptized Christian.

from

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

2089

Incredulity is the neglect of revealed truth or the willful refusal to assent to it. "Heresy is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and Catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him." (Codex Iuris Canonici, canon 751: emphasis added.)
From the 1983 Code of Canon Law:

"Heresy is the obstinate denial or doubt after the reception of baptism of some truth which is to be believed by divine and Catholic faith."

Answer 6

the churchs desire to deal with heretics (people who believed in hereseis ) led to the creation of a court called the inquisition.the job of this court was to find and try heretics.

Answer 7

But God judges those outside. And ye yourselves shall drive out the evil man from you.

1 Corinthians 5:13

A Conservative Version (ACV)

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