The lyrics:

he sewed his eyes shut because he is afraid to see
he tries to tell me what I put inside of me
he's got the answers to ease my curiosity
he dreamed up a God and called it Christianity
your god is dead and no one cares
if there is a hell I will see you there
he flexed his muscles to keep his flock of sheep in line
he made a virus that would kill off all the swine
his perfect kingdom of killing, suffering and pain
demands devotion atrocities done in his name
your god is dead and no one cares
drowning in his own hypocrisy
and if there is a hell I will see you there
burning with your god in humility
will you die for this?

(Pre 5-12-98)
I personally agree with all B.J. stated, which is almost exactly how I interpreted this song. It is also one of my best NIN's songs, especially due to its lyrics. I even put the sentence 'God is dead and no one cares' on my schoolbag. Everyone who sees it, asks me why I wrote it, do I really think that way, am I a satanist (I really heard that question once). I really don't give a fuck about what other people think about me and people who ask these questions are not even worth explaining them why I placed this sentence on my schoolbag. I mainly did it because it should give us something to think: is God is really dead? why is it so? Isn't it also my fault? Who/what is God anyway? I like this sentence because it is also connected with the Nietche's philosophy and also the existentialism, the philosophy of which is very close to me. I just want to say that God is, I believe, something which is in us - it is matter of our faith and behaviour, we create the God. The whole term was just created to 'keep this flock of sheep in line', it is a means of manipulation of people, just to put some order on masses. And it is good - without it there would be complete anarchy. However, it all went to far, a world full of hypocracy, and this God was lost somehow in the search for money and power. Look at the surrounding world! Can this be a world with God? God is dead, because it is dead in people - God meaning good, love and all values associated with this term 'God'. And such a world without absolute value, without the truth a priorty, is also dead, gradually leading to destruction. Moreover, although God is dead, no one cares about it. Do you think that if Jesus would die for our sins nowadays, someone would 'get interested' in that, paid attention to this fact. No way, no one would even see it - they would just say 'get out off the fucking cross, we need the fucking space to nail the next fool martyr!' (these are the words from Tool's song Eulogy). Therefore at the end, Reznor asks the words: will you die for this? will you die for all this shit? Finally, I also see a connection between this song and two songs by Tool (it is my most favourite band apart from NIN) Opiate and Eulogy, especially when the manipulative force of religion is concerned and treating people just as a flock of sheep. However, these songs don't concern only religion - they are generally about all leaders who manipulate others, religion is just one of many ways of manipulation (just think about Hitler and the 2nd World War).

Lyrics to Opiate and Eulogy

So I ask you one more time:
WILL YOU DIE FOR THIS?

And what about the title 'Heresy'. I think it is called that because it questions something which is perceived as most fundamental and unquestionable - faith. But should we really accept everything they tell us? Cannot we really try to think, even if it is heresy. Therefore, I believe the major idea of the song is: try to think about it, don't believe eveything they tell you, stop being just another stupid sheep. You are a human being, you are obliged to think. TOMEK 'MR SELF DESTRUCT'

-Tomek 'Self Destruct'

(Pre 5-12-98)
My idea on the song, "Heresey" is basically show 90% (maybe more) to quit being so 1 track minded. Yes, though I am a Chirstian, myself (gasp!), I think that Trent's words in this song are very important. Reason 1, is because CHRISTIANS JUDGE TOO MUCH! But you say,"but aren't you being hypocritical since Jestrye is a (GASP!) Christian?" Probably, folks, but do I care? NO!!! I do not tremble when some over the hill sweat stained quote un-quote Preacher\pastor\whatever says I'm going to hell for this or that or the other thing. Who cares? For making a harsh judgement like that, HE's probably goin' to hell. But any hoo, The reason why Trent wrote this song is because Chirstians are too judgemental and go overboard about anything or everything and he probably has gone over the edge and said, "F*ck it! I'll give them a reason to make them judge!" so he wrote all the lyrics down, showing how Christians are doing everything wrong! And the funny thing about Christians is that they say they follow God, but all they do is follow what the preacher\preist says (this is also my main objection with organized religion. -me). And 75% or more are wrong! they say dumb and hurtful things and they do the big no-no; Judging. Christians aren't supposed to judge but hey-ho, they do!
But the line that I really understand is,"He made a virus to kill off all of the swine." Meaning showing extreme hate for different people whether it be Jewish, Catholic, Mormon, Gay, Buddist, or whatever. Most Christians are full of hate. I feel ashamed about my religion, but not my God.
I realize this is preachy, I'm not a Bible thumper, but please, listen to my call. I just want to say, "Don't be mad at God, be mad at Christians. Because they plagued a great gift that slowly died away from their lies."
I opened up a Bible once, skimmed through the pages for about five minutes and found a bunch of things that the preachers of today are doing wrong. So if anyone wants to write back to me, they are more than welcome. I just want to know what you guys feel about what I wrote. Trent is a genius.

-Jestrye

(Pre 5-12-98)
I agree with jestrye but I dont think people should blame God for all that fails mankind. This is where Trent misses the big picture. John 3:17 says "God did not send his Son into the world to codemn the world, but to save the world through Him." you see man has already dug himself a hole he cant escape from. "killing, suffering and pain" does not equal perfection infact it is perfection's antithesis and such things are creations of man.

-firebug420

(Pre 5-12-98)
I'm an agnostic raised Protestant. I'm ashamed to admit that when I first got TDS in '94 I felt guilty just listening to Heresy. But then I realized, if there is a god and he is so pathetic he is threatened by my beliefs and choice of music, he is not worthy of my worship. So I started to really think about the value of Heresy and not just the blasphemy, and I began quoting it on occasion, and it kind of became my "fuck you" statement about religion. In those days I was forced to go to church and I'd scribble the lyrics on the programs and leave them there. I now know that I needed that song to fully realize my rebellion against what I was taught. I no longer wanted to be a sheep. I no longer wanted to worship a god who would "kill off all the swine". That some god would judge me on my beliefs and damn me to hell for all eternity for them seemed ultimately wrong, not to mention petty. I feel that my disgust with Christianity mirrors Trent's to a large degree. I realize this isn't much of an interpretation; it's just a personal story about what I got out of the song.

-anonymous

(6-1-98)
Since i dont really beleave in a god or anything at all, i find this to be a soothing song. Since my interpertation is only my interpertation i expect that others feel differently and i dont intend to put down religion. I get shit from all the damn blinded christians for not believing in their god. It's all cause they are soo fuckin brainwashed. They cant except others or others ideas. Every day some cunt tells me to go to his/her church. It'll make me feel better, clean me up or some blank shit. Why can't they just leave me and my ideas fuckin alone? If there is a hell, save it for the worthy, they are too "sinful" to even be recognised as a person. Well here's what i think: this song rips apart all those who tryed to to rip apart in the past.

-vlasic