Sprintcyclist wrote on Dec 13
th, 2007 at 8:45pm:
It was a fad that passed. The people that sentenced witches were the legal courts, not religious areas.
Often it was one woman accusing another woman due to jealousy about a man.
Those accused were men or women.
It was mainly in europe, some in england, none in ireland - from memory.
The churches were instrumental in stopping it.
It was not a christian thing.
Perhaps you should read the writings of Martin Luther. In particular his 1543 discourse
The Jews and Their Lies. Most of it is too offensive to repeat, but here is one excerpt:
Quote:However, we must avoid confirming them in their wanton lying, slandering, cursing, and defaming. Nor dare we make ourselves partners in their devilish ranting and raving by shielding and protecting them, by giving them food, drink, and shelter, or by other neighborly
Luther's writings influenced Hitler to a great extent. As far as Luther was concerned, the only good Jew was a dead Jew. Luther was no "passing fad", and his influence extended to four hundred years after his death. Perhaps you've heard of the IRA, or the Rev. Ian Paisley? Fine examples of Christianity, they are. Paisley has been accurately described as a "professional bigot", and echoed some "Lutheran sentiment" himself. He denounced John Paul II as "the anti-Christ". Don't worry, there are enough bigots claiming Christianity as their protective shield.