Heresy

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/heresy

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the etymological root?Greek 'hairesis' meaning 'choice,' 'sect,' or 'faction'
2. What is the modern relevance?Analogous to challenging scientific paradigms, political orthodoxies, or established social norms
3. Why did people in the past worry about heresy?They feared heresy could split communities and make people question leaders, which could cause trouble and make the society less stable.
4. How did the Church try to stop heresy?The Church created groups like the Inquisition that looked for people who believed differently, and they could be punished by being cut off from the church, locked up, or even killed.

Orthodoxy: Adherence to established or traditional beliefs, especially in religion.
Doctrinal Purity: The state of being free from beliefs or teachings that deviate from an established doctrine.
Paradigm Shift: A fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions, often seen in scientific progress.