To be sure, our culture has its problems. However, compared to other times in western civilization, we live in a golden period.
This coming week we are covering the Malleus Malificarum (Witch's Hammer) in Liberal Studies. This book was ordered by Papal Bull in 1475, written by two theologians, and represents to me the nadir, the rock bottom, of western civilization. It is a treatise on how to identify, try in court, and execute witches. Some estimate as many as 9 million people were executed as witches during this period, and that the Malleus had much to do with it. Who were these witches? One of my Liberal Studies students (Linda Andrew) has summed nicely the definition in the Malleus :
“A witch is anyone who has evil intentions, a pact with the devil, and permission from God. However, and most importantly, a witch is anyone, regardless of rank, age, or wealth who is so accused by a “reliable” witness—the attributes of and the crimes committed in her “witchfulness” are applied according to the results of her interrogation.”
The Malleus represents to me many things. Institutionalized religions often become far too powerful, and during these times, often very important decisions are made on the basis of faith, rather than on reason. I like to think that we as a culture today make better decisions than the theocracy of the 15th Century Western Europe. Rather than being persecuted as witches, midwives are now honoured by many as experts at delivering babies. While South Park writers may argue that red haired people have no soul, gingers are no longer burned to the stake for their hair colour and therefore obvious witchfullness. People today can decide for themselves what if any religion they choose to follow, or even speak out against religions' excesses, abuses, and dogmas, without fear of being burnt to the stake.
1 comment:
Before we try patting our backs about our culture being more "advanced", it would be god to remember "The War on Terror" (Guantanamo, no-fly lists, "extraordinary rendition", and the raft of Executive Orders rescinding Constitutional rights is the U.S. -- to mention only a few.
And I'm old enough to remember the MacCarthy years in the US ... I had friends whose fathers were financially, socially, personally ruined by accusations and associations.
And, in broader ways, look are the responses of our culture to Climate Change, the so-called Capitalist System ... & a few more that I imagine you can think of.
Maybe we don't burn witches anymore ... there's bigger game and higher stakes now.
Blessings, Tom
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