For the record, I think it is deplorable to torture and execute people because of what they do or do not believe about God.
Nevertheless, that was the way heresy was dealt with in the Judeo-Christian world from the time of Moses until just a few centuries ago.
This is not the case.
In Old Testament Israel, ... persons might be put to death for behavior, ... which sometimes included the teaching of what was considered false doctrine, ... but not for belief alone.
That is what is commonly referred to as a “distinction without a difference” because until a person in some way expresses their beliefs we have no idea what they are.
On the contrary, there have been cases in human history where declarations of belief have been coerced from individuals, ... rather than those beliefs being freely aired, ... with those forced declarations being the basis for heretic determinations.
My point is that this was not the way of ancient Israel.
My point is that this was not the way of ancient Israel.
I would be inclined to agree with that. However, in ancient Israel it was known who the non-Jews were and all Jews were expected to be obedient to the Law and when they weren't it was pretty obvious.