Apostasy

a·pos·ta·sy -- n. pl. -sies Desertion of one's faith, religious party, or principles. Also a·pos·ta·cy [apostasia a standing off, desertion <apo- away + stasis a standing]

Literally, the word apostatize is in a sense an opposite of homeostasis, which refers to the tendency of an organism -- or a system of any kind -- to maintain a uniformity within and between its parts. If homeostasis is "standing the same" (according to its etymology), then apostasy is quite simply "standing away" or leaving -- any of which may be entirely consistent with processes of spiritual growth or transformation.