FaithlessThinker
New Member
I was originally posting this as a reply to this post by Muskiet in the thread "You have GOD to be kiddin' me?", but then I thought this has to be a topic on its own.
"Heresy" is defined in Oxford as "belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine" and as "opinion profoundly at odds with what is generally accepted." Note that the reference to Christianity is provided in brackets to indicate that the word heresy is more commonly used in relation to Christianity, even though it is applicable to all religious doctrines.
Compare this to MW dictionary's first definiton which claims that heresy is specific to church dogma, especially Roman Catholic church, even though it attempts to get away with a second definiton "dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion, or practice."
MW dictionary defines church as "a building for public and especially Christian worship" and "the whole body of Christians." Although MW dictionary also defines church as "the clergy or officialdom of a religious body" and "a body or organization of religious believers," we should know that the world "church" is widely understood to refer to Christianity.
Interestingly, Oxford has three definitions for "church" which directly links the word to Christianity, whereas only one definition which does not: "institutionalized religion as a political or social force." The example given for this fourth definition is "the separation of church and state."
But we must note that this definition cannot support an idea that the words "church dogma" in MW's definition of "heresy" cannot mean dogma of any religion's (scare quotes) "church." The fourth definition quoted above and its example makes it clear that the definition was only created because such a separation happened in Christian nations, and during such time, the term "seperation of church and state" was popularized. (It could have been "mosque and state," "temple and state," or "synagogue and state" depending on where the separation happened.)
The lack of support is because once again, the word "church" is widely understood to refer to Christianity, hence can be confusing if it is used to mean any other religion or the set of all religions. MW could have defined heresy as "adherence to an opinion contrary to an accepted religious dogma" which is less confusing and more correct, but chose not to.
I prefer not to use MW dictionary due to this apparent Christian bias I find in the dictionary, whereas I find Oxford dictionary authoritative and neutral in its definitions. I recommend you not to use MW dictionary but to use Oxford dictionary instead.
Links: Merriam Webster Dictionary | Oxford Dictionary
Disclaimer: This is my opinion. Factual accuracy is limited to the links, the definitions quoted, and the accepted facts used to make my inference.
"Atheist" is defined in MW dictionary as "one who believes that there is no deity." Oxford gives the definition "a person who does not believe in the existence of God or gods." MW dictionary claims that the atheists have an active anti-theistic belief, whereas Oxford states that atheists only deny theistic beliefs. Which is correct?Muskiet said:
"Heresy" is defined in Oxford as "belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine" and as "opinion profoundly at odds with what is generally accepted." Note that the reference to Christianity is provided in brackets to indicate that the word heresy is more commonly used in relation to Christianity, even though it is applicable to all religious doctrines.
Compare this to MW dictionary's first definiton which claims that heresy is specific to church dogma, especially Roman Catholic church, even though it attempts to get away with a second definiton "dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion, or practice."
MW dictionary defines church as "a building for public and especially Christian worship" and "the whole body of Christians." Although MW dictionary also defines church as "the clergy or officialdom of a religious body" and "a body or organization of religious believers," we should know that the world "church" is widely understood to refer to Christianity.
Interestingly, Oxford has three definitions for "church" which directly links the word to Christianity, whereas only one definition which does not: "institutionalized religion as a political or social force." The example given for this fourth definition is "the separation of church and state."
But we must note that this definition cannot support an idea that the words "church dogma" in MW's definition of "heresy" cannot mean dogma of any religion's (scare quotes) "church." The fourth definition quoted above and its example makes it clear that the definition was only created because such a separation happened in Christian nations, and during such time, the term "seperation of church and state" was popularized. (It could have been "mosque and state," "temple and state," or "synagogue and state" depending on where the separation happened.)
The lack of support is because once again, the word "church" is widely understood to refer to Christianity, hence can be confusing if it is used to mean any other religion or the set of all religions. MW could have defined heresy as "adherence to an opinion contrary to an accepted religious dogma" which is less confusing and more correct, but chose not to.
I prefer not to use MW dictionary due to this apparent Christian bias I find in the dictionary, whereas I find Oxford dictionary authoritative and neutral in its definitions. I recommend you not to use MW dictionary but to use Oxford dictionary instead.
Links: Merriam Webster Dictionary | Oxford Dictionary
Disclaimer: This is my opinion. Factual accuracy is limited to the links, the definitions quoted, and the accepted facts used to make my inference.
