Heresy is a belief or theory strongly ingrained in established beliefs. A heretic is someone who believes in these beliefs and/or theories. The term is usually used to describe broken religious laws or legal codes. It carries with it the belief that undermining accepted morality can result in harm, damnation, or other punishment. In many cultures, such as Islamic or Jewish, heresy has led to punishments such as excommunication and even the death penalty. When heresy is used today in reference to Christianity, its meaning represents the denial or doubt of the Christian faith. Heresy is distinguished between apostasy and schism. Apostasy almost always consists in the total abandonment of the Christian faith after it has been freely accepted. Schism is a formal and deliberate violation of Christian unity and an offense against charity without being essentially based on doctrine. Heresy involves a baptized person who teaches or proclaims something contrary to the Catholic faith and refuses to be corrected. Heresy is distinct from apostasy, personal unbelief, or schism. Heretical teaching effect...