Barry Clifford: Apostasy

An apostate, or persons who embraces apostasy, is where they abandon one set of beliefs for another or none at all. In many countries you can be put to death just for that change of mind. Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, have and will put you to death for denying whatever religion had been forced on you as a child, which is mainly Muslim in these desert and sand flea ridden countries with a bit of oil thrown in.

In other countries there are lesser penalties for it too, prison (up to 30 years in some cases) flogging, and being denied custody rights for your child. It has, for the most part, carried some measure of penalties in many other democratic countries including Ireland, though to a more tolerable and humane degree that at times is comical. But it is there hiding in open view.

Like the Muslims, there is a trail of blood spilled by the Christians that has covered the centuries in those who practiced apostasy right into the early 20^th century. Perhaps tired of the blood letting, they do things differently now. Apostasy is not just embraced by denying your religion, but by behavior that contradicts it. In Ireland this is self -evident.

Take the blasphemy laws. It is a crime to blaspheme the Lord here, though it depends on whose version you refer the insult; yet the law is very vague or non- existent to what exactly the penalty for blasphemy is. Of course you have to prove that God exists first, as any good lawyer will tell you, as his spirited and robust defense will demand.

Here also, if you want to teach in the almost 100% Catholic schools, hospitals and universities, though it is fully funded inclusively by the government, it carries very exclusive penalties in what it classes as apostate behavior.

That apostate behavior means being gay, having a child out of wedlock, divorce and re-marriage while a formerly married partner still breathes, getting married only in a registered office or living as an un-married couple, and publishing or distributing material that are contrary to the Catholic gospel. Though penalties here are not terminal as in death, they are life changing such as losing your job that will ensure your inability to provide for your family.

It also advises miscreants or apostates that ‘Failure to abide by the rules could affect the ability to govern or to lead model Catholic lives and faith and that ecclesial integrity may cease to exist.’ It is, if you believe this decree, a fate worse than death for there is no life promised for afterwards and makes being beheaded seem kind. Pretty much damned if you do and damned if you don’t. 

Barry Clifford