Apostate

Apostate literally designates any one who changes his religion, whatever may be his motive; but, by custom, the word is always used in an injurious sense, as equivalent to one who, in changing his creed, is actuated by unworthy motives. In early Christian times, the word was applied to those who abandoned their faith in order to escape from persecution; but it was also applied to such as rejected Christianity on speculative grounds (the Emperor Julian, for instance). The apostates in times of persecution were styled variously Sacrificati, Thurificati, &c., according to the modes in which they publicly made known their return to heathenism, by offering sacrifices or incense to the gods of Rome. Controversies arose in the early church as to the readmission of those who had so lapsed (see LAPSED and NOVATIAN). The Roman Catholic Church at one period imposed severe penalties on apostasy. The apostate was naturally excommunicated; but sometimes also his property was confiscated, and he himself banished, or even put to death. The term is also applied, not only to those who become perverts to Mohammedanism, usually called renegades, but to such as exchange the Roman Catholic for the Protestant faith, and vice versa. It has often had great influence on the fortunes of a nation that a prince has apostatized. The most renowned instance in modern history is that of Henry IV. (q.v.), who became a Roman Catholic for peace's sake.