Heresy in Christianity

In Christianity, heresy refers to beliefs or practices that deviate from established church doctrines or teachings. Early Christian leaders sought to define core beliefs about God, Jesus, and salvation. When individuals or groups proposed alternative views that contradicted these teachings—such as denying the divinity of Christ or the Trinity—they were labeled as heretics. Heresy can lead to significant divisions within Christianity, as orthodox believers seek to maintain the integrity of their faith. Historically, heretical views have often been met with condemnation, and in some cases, persecution by institutional churches to protect their teachings.