apostasy; renunciation of faith; defection from a religion
Primarily used for abandoning or renouncing a religious belief or affiliation. Can also refer to ideological defection.
He declared his apostasy from Christianity.
Apostasy is considered a capital offense in some countries.
apostate; renegade
Compound of 背 (hai, 'turn one's back on, disobey') and 教 (kyō, 'teaching, religion'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word follows standard Sino-Japanese word formation patterns.