Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Apostasy

I never heard of a word called “apostasy” until now. When I first read that word, I thought it is something similar to apostrophe. But in that article I was reading, apostasy is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia. I thought they are cruel.
 
While studying in school, I was taught apostrophe is a punctuation mark. How can they give such a big punishment to someone for using/not using/not properly using apostrophe. My English teacher, Arunachalam Iyer, was strict but not that strict.
 
I realized something was wrong in my thinking. So I googled that word.
 
Merriam-Webster Dictionary says apostasy is either renunciation of a religious faith OR abandonment of a previous loyalty (Defection).
 
I like the idea of some punishment for apostasy when it comes to abandonment of a previous loyalty (Defection).
 
What kind of punishment should be given for people who abandon their citizenship of a country and get citizenship of another country?
 
Punishment for people who abandon their political party affiliation? This is apostasy, right?
 
Punishment for people who abandon their loyalty to a particular cricket team? True apostasy.
 
People who change their homes after living there for a minimum of 10 years. Must be punished.
 
Same goes for jobs also. Change jobs after 10 years with the same company. It is pure apostasy. But if the company fires you, it is not apostasy.
 
I am not even going to talk about people changing their spouses after a long married life.
 
What if someone marries/keeps more than one spouse (without divorcing the first spouse)? In Tamil, they call it "Chinna Veedu" (the small house).  Is it apostasy? We need some big name lawyers mentioned in Renu’s post.
 
What do you think?
 
PS: This is a tongue-in-cheek attempted humor post. Not for any serious discussion.

35 comments:

  1. Wow....good to know a new word....and OMG SG i am punishable by more than one in your list ....thank god i am in America

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    1. Thanks for your comments Dee. I am glad you liked this post. For each of your apostasy, you will get a lash on your right wrist with a wet noodle.

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    2. O oh u just lost yourself a job opportunity in Saudi by saying that

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    3. Ha Ha. Apparently, you don't know much about me. In fact, I don't write work related subjects in my blog. In fact, I was sent by my company here in USA to Saudi Arabia and I worked there for 4 years. That work experience is sufficient for me. I smile while writing this.

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  2. Where is the punishment for apostasy in democratic countries assuring considerable freedom?if it is a punishable crime,most would attract punishment with your liberal interpretation of the word!
    A funny post .

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    1. Thanks for your comments Mr. KP. It is meant to be a funny post.

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  3. Should be one of those paper laws - laws that are there for convenience (of the Royal family) than those that are meant to be actually implemented.

    Destination Infinity

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    1. Thanks for your comments Rajesh. Such paper laws are there in almost every country.

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  4. Learnt a new word. Hmm Saudi Arabia..SG you should know it better, isnt it?

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    1. Thanks for your comments Insignia. Looks like you know too much about me. HaHaHa.

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  5. Its new word for me too...

    What if someone marries/keeps more than one spouse (without divorcing the first spouse)? In Tamil, they call it "Chinna Veedu" (the small house). Is it apostasy?

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    1. Thanks for your comments Vineeta. I am glad you liked this post.

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  6. Learnt a new word today! Chinna Veedu? It should be apostasy!

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    1. Thanks for your comments Sandhya. If Chinna Veedu is apostasy, most of the Indian politicians will be wiped out.

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  7. Apostasy! sounds like a poor word cousin of Apostle for me...never heard of this word before.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Asha. I thought about Apostle. But did not want to get into religious controversy.

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  8. Heard the word, but know its meaning now! Interesting post :D

    Do visit my blog as well! Writing after ages! :)

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    1. Thanks for your comments Ash. Long time no see. Glad you are back in the blog business.

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  9. That's a new word for me too. Gosh! I think I would have been dead long ago for I had changed jobs. :D

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    1. Thanks for your comments Shilpa. Please take it easy. All rules are meant to be broken.

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  10. You have told a new word to all of us and thank u for mentioning my blog:)

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    1. Thanks for your comments Renu. Now you see that I not only read your posts but remember them also.

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  11. I never knew this word ! And the ending part classic :)

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    1. Thanks for your comments Shilpa. I am glad you liked this post.

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  12. A new word for me too. Punishable by death! that's too brutal.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Ash. Each country makes laws according to their lifestyle.

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  13. Just for a moment there, you had me. Apostasy huh? Sounds like the opposite of Ecstasy to me!

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  14. I agree with spouse, country and political abandonment being punishable.
    Ahem, cricket?? Hope you don't add loyalty to movie stars (it's tough to call many of them as actors, nowadays)in that list!

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    1. Thanks for your comments Sweety. Thanks for reminding me. I will add actors in my next list. HaHaHa.

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  15. Haha :-D Mission accomplished! The word is successfully added to your readers' vocabulary :-)

    Thanks for your kind words on my blog :-) TC, keep smiling :-)

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  16. Thanks for your comments Sindhu. I am glad you liked this post.

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  17. I had written the comment.Some impediments it popped up. Anyway I liked the post.Really interesting to read.This word is new to me.India since has the freedom of defection from political parties and rejection of religious dogmas apostasy will have no legal welcome here.

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