Inquisition

Five witchcraft myths debunked by an expert

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 26, 2023

Between the 15th and 18th centuries, an estimated 50,000 people, mostly women, were executed for witchcraft across Europe.

Key Points: 
  • Between the 15th and 18th centuries, an estimated 50,000 people, mostly women, were executed for witchcraft across Europe.
  • They were accused of devil-worship, heresy and harming their neighbours by using witchcraft.

1. Witchcraft is a medieval idea

  • The Christian church was sceptical about the reality of witchcraft until the 15th century.
  • Before that there were very few witchcraft trials, because acts of witchcraft were believed to be an illusion caused by the Devil with the permission of God.

2. Witchcraft trials occurred everywhere

  • Most witchcraft trials happened in central, western, or northern Europe.
  • In places like Iceland and Wales, there were very few witchcraft trials at all.
  • It seems that local beliefs about magic and witchcraft, alongside the attitudes of clergymen and judges, may be the reasons for this.

3. The Inquisition tried and executed most witches

  • They have become notorious for their rigour in rooting out opposition to Catholic orthodoxy.
  • Across the whole of the Iberian and Italian peninsulas, the inquisitions executed fewer suspects than were hanged in England.

4. Only women were tried for witchcraft

  • It’s true that 80% of those tried and executed for witchcraft were women.
  • In England, women on the margins of society were more vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft when things went wrong for their neighbours, such as inexplicable deaths or harm.
  • The suspects’ networks were founded on their sex; women named women and the few male suspects named men.

5. Witches were really the followers of a pagan fertility cult

  • This new religion was founded by Gerald Gardner who revived what he believed to be ancient pagan witchcraft in the 1930s.
  • Most witches were ordinary Christian women who found themselves accused of witchcraft by their neighbours, or denounced by other suspects under torture.


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Jonathan Durrant does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Author Shares Faith-Filled Stories of Her Jewish Grandparents

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 9, 2023

FERNDALE, Wash., Oct. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Author Daphne Leigh grew up with stories of her paternal grandparents, who arrived in Seattle, Wash., from Turkey during World War I. They struggled to raise six children as poor immigrants in an impoverished area of the city. Brought up with a strong work ethic and beliefs, each of their six children became successful, with lifelong marriages and their own businesses.

Key Points: 
  • In "Jacob and Faye, a Grandparent's Story," Leigh combines fact and fiction by using artistic license to create the personalities of the family she never knew.
  • She also did extensive research into the Jewish faith to make sure she represented it correctly, as it was an integral part of the story.
  • "I felt compelled to share the story of my grandparent's life, because I found it extremely inspiring," said Leigh.
  • Here, she documents her grandparents' efforts as they try to make ends meet, while raising their children to be strong and resourceful, and dedicated to their Jewish faith.

Dark Fantasy Tactical RPG Redemption Reapers Launches Feb 22nd

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 27, 2023

TOKYO, Jan. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Redemption Reapers, the dark fantasy tactical RPG developed by Adglobe and published by Binary Haze Interactive (ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights,), prepares to ambush evil with a launch date/time set for Wednesday, Feb. 22nd 2023 7am Pacific time on Steam for Windows PC, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.

Key Points: 
  • An all-star voice cast brings the world to life, including Alejandra Reynoso (Castlevania, DOTA 2), Jason Spisak (Arcane, Teen Titans Go!
  • Command humanity's last stand against evil, the Ashen Hawk Brigade, and fight for redemption against brutal foes utilizing strategic team tactics, surprise attacks and weapon synergies.
  • Precisely plan the Brigade's every move through war-torn villages, castles and snowfields to flank the ruthless Mort with perfect positioning.
  • "Redemption Reapers' clever combat mechanics complement a gripping tale during wartime struggle," said Hiroyuki Kobayashi, CEO, Binary Haze Interactive.

All-Star Developer and Cast Reveal Redemption Reapers, a Dark Fantasy Tactical RPG

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 12, 2022

TOKYO, Dec. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Redemption Reapers, the dark fantasy tactical RPG developed by Adglobe and published by Binary Haze Interactive (ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights,), sneaks into striking distance and prepares for launch on Steam for Windows PC, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in February 2023.  

Key Points: 
  • Efficient as they are brutal, the macabre forces descend upon civilizations, leaving destruction in the wake of their nightly raids.
  • Employ strategic moves, directing units across the battlefield before issuing commands to attack, defend, or deploy skills during each turn.
  • "Following the success of ENDER LILIES, we aimed to approach a new genre ideal for sharing our love of dark fantasy stories," said Hiroyuki Kobayashi, CEO, Binary Haze Interactive.
  • "Redemption Reapers' tactical RPG combat and emotional storytelling combine for a memorable experience we cannot wait to share with the world in early 2023."

Jewish Life Television’s Global Travel Series Air Land & Sea To Premiere The Jewish History of Magnificent Malta

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 6, 2022

Exploring a Jewish presence that dates back to the Roman Period, the Malta Tourism Authority and Jewish Life Television (JLTV) proudly announce the premiere of The Jewish History of Magnificent Malta, as part of JLTVs award-winning global travel series Air Land & Sea.

Key Points: 
  • Exploring a Jewish presence that dates back to the Roman Period, the Malta Tourism Authority and Jewish Life Television (JLTV) proudly announce the premiere of The Jewish History of Magnificent Malta, as part of JLTVs award-winning global travel series Air Land & Sea.
  • Who knew that the Maltese islands in the middle of the Mediterranean would be so full of Jewish history?
  • For the US & Canada, Malta is still an undiscovered gem, and even more so, its Jewish Heritage.
  • Later in 2022, JLTV will present:
    The History of Magnificent Malta: Meander around Magnificent Malta and uncover the deep, rich history of these mighty islands in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.

We The Patriots USA, Inc.: Major Federal Lawsuit Filed by Employees Against Bristol Myers Squibb

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 2, 2021

WTP USA released the following statement late Wednesday:  "The  compulsory injection of an experimental foreign substance with known and widespread adverse side effects--including death--and procured with the assistance of aborted fetal cell lines, cannot be compared to drinking a beer.  That such a question was posed to employees demonstrates an utter lack of understanding of the interactive process required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and we are confident that the plaintiffs will be successful in this litigation.  It didn't have to come to this, but we are proud to stand up for the plaintiffs in their pursuit of religious liberty."

Key Points: 
  • "BMS has abandoned logic in the name of hysteria and is systematically purging people of faith from its workforce.
  • Carrie Kefalas, John Lott, Jeremy Beer, and Kamila Dubisz filed the lawsuit after BMS refused to provide them with an exemption as an accommodation for their sincerely-held religious beliefs.
  • The lawsuit seeks both preliminary and permanent injunctions enjoining BMS from terminating the employment of the plaintiffs and all other similarly-situated BMS employees.
  • The law doesn't permit Bristol Myers Squibb to act as a modern Spanish Inquisition and destroy people's lives simply because it doesn't like their religious beliefs."

NVIDIA Partners With Electronic Arts to Bring Hit Games to GeForce NOW

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 30, 2021

GeForce NOW membership has more than doubled in the last year, giving Electronic Arts access to more than 12 million gamers.

Key Points: 
  • GeForce NOW membership has more than doubled in the last year, giving Electronic Arts access to more than 12 million gamers.
  • Electronic Arts games can be added quickly to GeForce NOW through regular GFN Thursday releases.
  • Five games from some of Electronic Arts most popular franchises are available on GeForce NOW, starting today.
  • These additions from Electronic Arts join one of the most-played games on GeForce NOW, Apex Legends.

World's Oldest Jewish Trust, the Sassoon Family Continuation Trust, Plans Transfer of Assets to the United States

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 25, 2021

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bruce Fein, Master Trustee of the Sassoon Family Continuation Trust , unveiled today plans to transfer all Trust's unsurpassed assets valued at over $100billion to the United States located at present in Switzerland or elsewhere abroad.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bruce Fein, Master Trustee of the Sassoon Family Continuation Trust , unveiled today plans to transfer all Trust's unsurpassed assets valued at over $100billion to the United States located at present in Switzerland or elsewhere abroad.
  • Mr. Fein amplified that the transfer, among other things, will facilitate the Trust's philanthropic endeavors, including scholarships and educational undertakings.
  • Mr. Fein has retained counsel to effectuate the transfer to ensure scrupulous compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
  • The Sassoon Family Continuation Trust originated 1495 in the aftermath of the Spanish Inquisition.

Catholic Priest Helps Stuck Souls Cross Over to the Other Side

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 10, 2018

In his new book, Afterlife, Interrupted: Helping Stuck Souls Cross Over, Father Nathan shares 13 of those storiesincluding that of a 20-year-old auto mechanic named Ray who died in 1960 in a car fire.

Key Points: 
  • In his new book, Afterlife, Interrupted: Helping Stuck Souls Cross Over, Father Nathan shares 13 of those storiesincluding that of a 20-year-old auto mechanic named Ray who died in 1960 in a car fire.
  • "Father Nathan has written from his deep experience of prayer, faithfulness to the Church, and dedication to his ministry as a priest.
  • Nathan G. Castle has been a Catholic priest of the semi-contemplative Dominican Order since 1979.
  • Father Nathan has served as a campus minister at Arizona State University, University of California, Riverside, and Stanford University.