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To: AD from SpringBay
"The first question ever asked by an Inquisitor of a "heretic" was whether he knew any part of the Bible in his own tongue.

I'll point out first that when people use the term "inquisitor" they are normally referring to a functionary of the Spanish Inquisition.

In point of fact an "inquisitor" was a canonical term for anyone designated by a bishop (including the Bishop of Rome) to investigate some kind of irregularity.

Such inquisitors existed in the 600s and perhaps earlier. The first heretics ever questioned by clergy canonically constituted for the purpose were the Priscillianists in the 4th century.

There was an official inquisition sent to question the Catharists in the 1160s, for example - 70 years before the incident so obscurely referred to in your post.

Parenthetically, there was a group of Christians who emphasized Bible study and lay instruction at around the same time. They were called Franciscans - and they were not troubled, but officially supported by the Pope.

The Waldenses were investigated for other reasons.

What exactly was the inquisition about, if not hunting heretics?

The Spanish Inquisition was about examining whether persons accused of apostasy were, in fact, apostates.

And what does it have to do with Martin Luther?

You brought up Protestants in the first place and I pointed out that the Spanish Inquisition was created years before there were any Protestants.

60 posted on 09/25/2003 1:04:54 PM PDT by wideawake (God bless our brave soldiers and their Commander in Chief)
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To: wideawake
Actually, I brought up pwotestants.

However, you and I both know the inquisitions were not limited to Spain and it was about a lot more than the investigation of irregularities. Tens of thousands of people lost their lives because they dared to disagree with the Roman Catholic church. And, parenthetically, there are many groups of Christians throughout history who emphasize bible study and lay instruction (not just the good Franciscians).

And, I also know lots and lots of people have died at the hands of the Protestants. Again, my sub-point (one of them anyway) is that it don't matter whose doing the killing in the name of Christ, it's not of Christ.
63 posted on 09/25/2003 1:27:32 PM PDT by AD from SpringBay (We have the government we allow and deserve.)
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