Your statement is that ALL religions police their own. If it can be shown that even one doesn't, then it is demonstrably a false statement. Given that there are situations too numerous to mention where religions were changed by strong individuals rather than disciplining the wayward individual, your statement is not just wrong but widely so.
Heresy is the willful and persistent rejection of any article of faith, or a having a different opinion than the established churches doctrine.
Thank you for the dictionary definition. However, since we're talking about its application in history (specifically by the Catholic Church), I think the Church's definition should be used. As I said before, it is not simply unbelief or even willful rejection (as you say), it is a corruption of dogmas. The common man's unbelief has no bearing on the dogmas of the Church. Only those in positions of authority can have such an impact and will find themselves subject to sanction. Unfortunately, this also understandably includes their followers.
I am willing to bet that all of the thousands of common people put to death for heresy by the Roman Catholic church would have wished that heresy only applied to those in a position of authority.
Here you show your ignorance of history. The main inquisition that most people point to is the Spanish Inquisition. This process arose out of driving out the Moors from the Spanish Throne and the restoration of the Catholic monarchy. Unfortunately, there were many in the Spanish Court who still held anti-Catholic biases that were feared to undermine their tenuous rule. They called on the Church to set up the Inquisition (which is really just a court proceeding by modern standards) to root out the heretics in the Court.
Over time, the Spanish Crown became very brutal in their tactics and political in their targets and the Church pulled back Her support. The Spanish Court continued the Inquisition in the name of the Church for hundreds of years following and most abuses can be laid correctly at their feet. Here is an article for more information on the subject of the inquisition: New Advent.
While Protestants are heretics by virtue of their beliefs, Bruno had little choice. Since you have been remarking on Bruno your inclusion of Martin Luther into the conversation is a moot point that has no bearing on any of this.
You seem to gloss over the fact that Bruno was a clergyman much the same as Martin Luther. The bearing is in the fact that both elicited sedition within the Church and this isn't something the Church can ignore given the peril to souls. Both men led souls away from the teachings of the Church to where we have had Christians fighting Christians ever since.
I don’t know or understand why my argument is laughable.
Understandable.
I would suggest that you brush up on history, refrain from utilizing straw men, and not resort to smug supercilious comments when responding to those with whom you disagree. It tends to show your lack of breadth in the subject matter.
I can but hold the mirror for you.
Thank you for your response. It merely substantiates my previous posts. Your posts tend to continue to grow each time with additional information that that was not part of your original post.
You are welcome for the dictionary definition as that is the accepted norm for defining words. I did not know we were allowed to make our own up. You state the definition and then go on to validate what I had written concerning innocents being executed for heresy. Ok fine if that works for you.
You have no idea concerning my level of knowledge with respect to history. I do find it fascinating your continual inclusion of things that were not in your post. You are all over the place. I never said anything about an inquisition. I could care less about the Spanish Inquisition as it started a hundred years before the Bruno incident. Again, more moot information on your part. There have been several Inquistions, big deal. I do not need information that has not a thing to do with what you have previously posted. It doesn’t make you appear smarter or more intelligent. It also does not impress someone such as myself who is already fully aware these things.
I can but hold the mirror for you -Touche` well played.
Anyway have a nice day. We will agree to disagree.