Apostates, are they still Christians?

[Madcat768]

I recently found that you could be excommunicated automatically for Apostasy. I have a few questions which i have been having a hard time finding the answers to. Most of my trouble is probably being caught up on the definition of apostasy or even definition of a christian according to the catholic church.

1. Is this the correct definition of apostasy? Apostasy: To experience the truth of Jesus Christ but still renouncing Christianity in its entirety? Does this mean that he still may believe Jesus Christ and His message is the truth but just choose to follow a different path?
2. Assuming question one is correct: If a sinner having been excommunicated for apostasy still believed in Jesus Christ and the message of the catholic church would he still be considered christian? For isn’t believing in Jesus Christ and His message the definition of being christian?
3. If that sinner of apostasy still believed in Jesus Christ and the message of the catholic Church was the truth and even after having been automatically excommunicated still was saying the rosary even just out of habit would he be entitled to the 15 promises of the rosary for Christians who often pray the rosary?

Hopefully that makes sense, thanks for taking the time to read. I got the feeling that after you committed apostasy (knowing that you would be excommunicated) you are no longer even considered christian? Even if the sinner believes that Jesus is the truth? Or must he deny Him and say he is not? I am confused. Could use some help

 

[Thorolfr]

Apostasy is the formal disaffiliation from, or abandonment or renunciation of a religion by a person. An example of apostasy would be for a Christian to formally abandon their Christian faith and become a different religion such as to become a Muslim or a Buddhist or to perhaps become an atheist and have no religion. Or a Muslim could become an apostate by becoming a Christian.

 

[Madcat768]

" …to formally abandon their Christian faith and become a different religion…" Thank you for your response. Would choosing a life of sin such as entering the drug trade for example (in the united states) or voluntarily becoming a pornography addict be considered choosing another religion in a sense, even though the sinner still believes in Jesus Christ and the message of the Catholic Church? Would this still be considered apostasy?

 

[PolarGuy]

No.

Further, mad, the end result of these sorts of questions is IMHO to lead you, or lurkers, to eventually declare some class of people they dislike ‘apostates.’ Whether that is drug dealers; drunks; those who use contraception; or the like, is irrelevant: it just creates this spiritual arrogance whereby people feel as if they can pronounce others “apostates.” That sort of name calling is counterproductive and just turns off the audience, who in turn learns nothing (except that some Catholics are nasty haters).

Remember that we are all sinners.

 

[Madcat768]

ok it just seemed unclear to me. Not looking to point fingers, just thought the definition i have seen given for apostasy in many places seemed to fit too many Catholics, maybe myself included. Just needed a little more clarification on how far “entirety” was.

 

[JWH123]

" …to formally abandon their Christian faith and become a different religion…" Thank you for your response. Would choosing a life of sin such as entering the drug trade for example (in the united states) or voluntarily becoming a pornography addict be considered choosing another religion in a sense, even though the sinner still believes in Jesus Christ and the message of the Catholic Church? Would this still be considered apostasy?

It’s not apostasy. Becoming a drug dealer or a porn addict is not a religion.

They are grave sins though, and to choose a lifestyle that is gravely sinful would put one in a very bad state with God.

By the way, what you talked about is a perfect description of why the once saved always saved view of many Protestants is folly. According to OSAS, since you’ve accepted Jesus one time, your place in heaven is assured.