heretic
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heretic
A person who publicly holds an opinion that differs from the official doctrine of a religion, especially Christianity. This meaning is often historical.
Im Mittelalter wurden viele angebliche Ketzer von der Inquisition verfolgt.
In the Middle Ages, many alleged heretics were persecuted by the Inquisition.
The word family includes the noun 'die Ketzerei' (heresy; heretical doctrine or action) and the adjective 'ketzerisch' (heretical; deviating from the dominant view).
Seine Thesen wurden als ketzerisch verurteilt.
His theses were condemned as heretical.
The word 'Ketzer' (heretic) is very strong and often negatively or dramatically charged. It does not just describe someone with a different opinion, but a person who radically questions a fundamental, established belief.
Er wurde für seine revolutionären Ideen als Ketzer beschimpft.
He was insulted as a heretic for his revolutionary ideas.
You can recognize the figurative meaning when the context is not religious or historical. It is often about politics, science, or art, where someone argues against the prevailing opinion.
Innerhalb der Klimaforschung gilt er mit seiner Theorie als Ketzer.
Within climate research, he is considered a heretic with his theory.
In the figurative sense, 'Ketzer' (heretic) is often used with verbs such as 'gelten als' (to be considered) or 'bezeichnen als' (to call/describe as). Typical phrases are 'als Ketzer gelten' (to be considered a heretic) or 'jemanden als Ketzer bezeichnen' (to call someone a heretic).
Wer heute noch so etwas behauptet, gilt schnell als Ketzer.
Anyone who still claims something like that today is quickly considered a heretic.
pagan
'der Heide' and 'der Ketzer' can both occur in religious contexts and are often meant negatively. A 'Heide' is, from a Christian or monotheistic perspective, someone who does not believe in that God, for example someone with a different religion. A 'Ketzer', on the other hand, is more likely to belong to a religion or be close to it, but holds a doctrine that differs from the official view. The words can be confused because both were historically used for people with a 'false' faith. In practice: 'Heide' means more outside the faith, while 'Ketzer' means more a deviation within a doctrine.
Der Prediger galt als Ketzer, weil er öffentlich gegen die offizielle Lehre der Kirche sprach.
The preacher was considered a heretic because he spoke publicly against the official doctrine of the Church.
Im alten Text nennt der Mönch die fremden Stämme Heiden, weil sie nicht christlich leben.
In the old text, the monk calls the foreign tribes pagans because they do not live as Christians.