Witch Hunting - a Western Evil

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Witch Hunting - A Millenniums old western Evil far bigger than 'Sat! Pratha' that continued until 17th century. KiIIing by way of 'Witch-hunting' was allowed to uncover subversive activity #Thread

Proof of being a witch could be a 3rd nipple, a scar or birthmark, a boil, a growth, or even owning a cat or other pet (a 'witch's familiar', or evil spirit). Confessions were often made under torture, and suspects thrown into a river or pond. bl.uk/learning/timeline/item107868.html

"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."- Exod.22.18 Matthew Hopkins who exposed witches had around 300 women kiIIed in East Anglia (England) during 1645 and 1646. 'The Discovery of Witches', in which he describes his deeds published in 1647. bl.uk/learning/timeline/item107868.html

"Witch" word first ever used is in Hebrew Bible in 28th Chapter of the first book of Samuel (ca.~931bce-721bce). It mentions Saul consulted "the Witch of Endor" to summon 'prophet' in order to receive advice against the Philistines in battle biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+28&version=NET#en-NET-7946

Witch-craft execution was first noted in Athens before 338AD for alleged casting incantations Next earliest ref. to "Witch" can be found as belief by St. Boniface (680-755AD) condemned by Pope Nicholas I (867) & Gregory VII(1085). cambridge.org/core/journals/classical-quarterly/article/abs/theoris-of-lemnos-and-the-criminalization-of-magic-in-fourthcentury-athens1/CAA3A0C6F12338FCACCC72114C978C22

The charges of Sorcery usually employed to checked learned man going to far Physician Arnold (1240-1312) & Peter of Abano (1250-1320). It was tool to check politically dangerous people. Churches assisted civil power to crusade against 'Witch'

In 1374, Pope Gregory XI declared that all magic was done with the aid of demons and thus was open to prosecution for heresy. britannica.com/topic/witchcraft/The-witch-hunts#:~:text=In%201374%20Pope%20Gregory%20XI,according%20to%20time%20and%20place. Enough fuel generated in last 700 years, 'Witch Hunting' became more prevalent in Europe and America during 1450-1750 AD.

In 1484, 'Pope Innocent VIII' (head of the Catholic Church) issued the 'papal bull' known as Summis desiderantes on 5/12/1484), authorizing "correcting, imprisoning, punishing and chastising" of devil-worshippers

In 1487, German Inquisitors Heinrich Kramer & Jakob Sprenger published a handbook of trial Malleus maleficarum(The Hammer of Witches) after obtaining ratification from Pope (7/n) The book was highest seller in Europe. historyofinformation.com/detail.php?id=1660 malleusmaleficarum.org

Witch hunting was so rampant in Germany and Europe that estimated 40,000-100,000 executions happened during 1450-1750 (~85% woman). They were executed mostly by burning, beheading, after torture in dungeon condition. [source:Witchcraze: Anne]

Cases, O/S EU England: 100s of women were wrongly accused and punished. owing to 3rd nipple, an unusual scar etc. Confessions were often made under torture, and suspects were tied up and thrown into a river or pond. Floating was proof of guilt. bl.uk/learning/timeline/item107868.html

America: Alse Young was first executed under charge of Witchcrafting in colonial America’s in 1647. By 1662, a total of 11 people, 9 women and 2 men, were executed. The men were the husbands of the convicted women.

Switzerland : Between 1423 and 1666, the small town of Sursee in central Switzerland hosted 59 witchcraft trials. Most defendants were found guilty, beheaded or burnt at the stake. swissinfo.ch/eng/witches-exhibition-casts-a-spell/662146

This Evil and gruesome practice has been largely banned around the world. People need to be educated and counseled if it still exists anywhere in the world.