(2) Deists, who admit there is a God, but deny that He
revealed a religion; (3) Agnostics, who will neither admit nor deny the
existence of God; (4) Infidels, who have never been baptized, and who,
through want of faith, refuse to be baptized; (5) Heretics, who have
been baptized Christians, but do not believe all the articles of faith;
(6) Schismatics, who have been baptized and believe all the articles of
faith, but do not submit to the authority of the Pope; (7) Apostates,
who have rejected the true religion, in which they formerly believed, to
join a false religion; (8) Rationalists and Materialists, who believe
only in material things.

Q. 1171. Will the denial of only one article of faith make a person a
heretic?
A. The denial of only one article of faith will make a person a heretic
and guilty of mortal sin, because the Holy Scripture says: "Whosoever
shall keep the whole law but offend in one point is become guilty of
all."

Q. 1172. What is an article of faith?
A. An article of faith is a revealed truth so important and so certain
that no one can deny or doubt it without rejecting the testimony of God.
The Church very clearly points out what truths are articles of faith
that we may distinguish them from pious beliefs and traditions, so that
no one can be guilty of the sin of heresy without knowing it.

Q. 1173. {324} Who are they who neglect to profess their belief in what
God has taught?
A. They who neglect to profess their belief in what God has taught are
all those who fail to acknowledge the true Church in which they really
believe.

Q. 1174. How do persons who are members of the Church neglect to profess
their belief?
A. Persons who are members of the Church neglect to profess their belief
by living contrary to the teachings of the Church: that is, by
neglecting Mass or the Sacraments, doing injury to their neighbor, and
disgracing their religion by sinful and scandalous lives.

Q. 1175. What chiefly prevents persons who believe in the Church from
becoming members of it?
A. A want of Christian courage chiefly prevents persons who believe in
the Church from becoming members of it. They fear too much the opinion
or displeasure of others, the loss of position or wealth, and, in
general, the trials they may have to suffer for the sake of the true
faith.

Q. 1176. What does Our Lord say of those who neglect the true religion
for the sake of relatives or friends, or from fear of suffering?
A. Our Lor