Legal Definitions - apostasy

Definition: Apostasy is a crime against religion that involves completely giving up Christianity after previously accepting it. It can also refer to abandoning religious vows without permission.

• John was a devout Christian for many years, but he committed apostasy when he renounced his faith and became an atheist.
• In some religious orders, apostasy is considered a serious offense and can result in expulsion from the community.

These examples illustrate how apostasy involves a complete rejection of one's religious beliefs and can have serious consequences within a religious community.