About burning at the stake... whoops....count me wrong. A few were executed in America that way...
It doesn’t appear though, these executions were religiously motivated however—which in Europe, was virtually always what burning at the stake was (supposed to be) about.
In Europe, heresy was punished (by the secular rulers) after the Church authorities had a trial (an inquisition) examining a person for heresy. If convicted, then the victim would be turned over to the state authorities for execution (so the Church wouldn’t technically kill anyone...).
In the 1550s,something like 400 Protestant leaders died this way under “Bloody” Queen Mary of England—a fanatical Roman Catholic. When moderate Queen Elizabeth I (whom they named Virginia after) took over there was great rejoicing in England by the Protestants.
Part of the reason for using fire for heresy was to warn others of the terrors of hell (awaiting heretics), to “purge” the community by fire...and, interestingly, so the Church could not be accused of “shedding blood.”
Which is why it is zero. The number is about 40, but if you add in ‘for religious reasons’ and after 1776 in the US, it comes to zero.
I am VERY VERY familiar with the practice in Europe (both for political and religious reasons) since I am a Medieval historian specializing in death and religion and have interests in heretical movements and the inquisition.
Thanks for the information. I think it’s also important to note that Christ said or did nothing whatsoever that would justify the killing of heretics. Wasn’t the Protestant movement largely created because the Roman Catholic church of that time was clearly NOT Christian?