What is a heretic?

As an AI language model, I can provide that a heretic refers to a person who holds beliefs that go against established religious or cultural norms. The term is often associated with individuals who are deemed to be dangerous or subversive to the dominant ideology or power structure. Throughout history, heretics have often faced persecution and even death for their beliefs, particularly during times of religious or political upheaval. However, some people consider heretics to be courageous individuals who challenge oppressive systems of thought and seek to promote alternative ideas and values.