Legal Definitions - anathema

Anathema refers to a formal and severe religious condemnation, typically issued by a church or religious authority. When a person is declared anathema, they are completely excluded from religious sacraments, services, and often, from any contact or association with members of that religious community.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of anathema:

• Imagine a historical scenario where a prominent theologian in the 12th century began teaching doctrines that were deemed fundamentally contrary to the established beliefs of the Church. After a formal ecclesiastical trial, a council of bishops might declare this theologian to be anathema. This would mean they were excommunicated, forbidden from receiving communion or participating in any church rituals, and all faithful members would be instructed to avoid their company and teachings, effectively isolating them completely from the religious community.

• Consider a modern, insular religious community with strict rules. If a member publicly and repeatedly violates a core tenet, such as marrying someone from outside the faith against community rules, the elders might issue an anathema against them. This would result in the individual being shunned by all other members, barred from attending any religious gatherings or ceremonies, and cut off from the social and spiritual life of the community, often extending to family members who remain within the group.