Witch-Hunt part 4

The witch-hunts of the past were set in a time when the church could convince people of almost anything. It seems today, that our society is more open minded and tolerant of this ever-changing world. An outbreak of witch-hunts seems almost impossible in this day and age. But then again, they didn’t have many witch trials before then either.

“And they shall be among the people, and they shall speak truths and whisper secrets, and you will know them by their crafts…Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” (Exodus 22:18, KJV)

Witch-Hunt part 3

Since then, the term “witch-hunt” has been used to refer to similarly panic-induced investigations for professed wrong-doers other than witches. “The best known example is probably the McCarthyist search for communists during the Cold War…” (Wikipedia). In modern times we see many similarities to that of the era of unrest. The last 40 or so years have been times of upheaval: women’s rights, civil rights, gay rights (currently), two “wars on terror”, etc. A good example of modern day witch-hunts is the previous administration’s use of torture and illegal wire tapping to coerce confessions from “terrorists”. With economy currently in a recession, distress is caused amongst the population. Religion around the world has become increasingly diverse causing people to feel guilty for these alleged sinners. And with a new president, and an African-American one at that, those people that are set in their ways may feel as if they might shrivel from trepidation.

Witch-Hunt part 2

The witch-hunts took place in a time of instability. The black plague was ravaging all of Europe at an alarming pace. The economic situation was very poor; thousands upon thousands of people were living in squalor causing many to starve. The Thirty Years War raging on between the Catholics and the Protestants and sparked fear in the hearts of many. And with the ever so common change in ruler, mainly in England, people became weary. The church needed to draw the attention back to religion to calm the masses. Because of the hyper focus on Christianity, people had little tolerance of any difference.

Witch-Hunts part 1

“The witch-hunts of early modern Europe took place against a backdrop of rapid social, economic, and religious transformation.” (Gendercide). Witch-hunts mainly circulated throughout Europe from 1480-1700. Witch hunts, in that time, were when God fearing men and women hunted down thousands of people and convicted them, in unjust trails, of witchcraft. These so called “witches” were either hung, drowned, or (the most commonly know method) burned at the stake. People honestly thought in their heart-of-hearts that they were truly doing God’s will.