Ah, so I can't disagree with Bush and find the Abu Ghraib situation appalling without being a member of the Democratic Underground? Nice false dilemma there, bub.
But does that excuse the Inquistion?
The whole point is that the Church shouldn't have to "excuse" the Inquisition, as it was perfectly justified. The only disagreement I would have is on the techniques employed, which must be put into context and were not as sadistic as some would make them out to be.
Yeah, burning people alive and torturing them to death have gotten a bad rap. And when you're doing it for God, well, it's positively pious. But removing a month-old blastocyst from woman's body is murder, by god, and we won't have it.
And people ask what made me decide to become an atheist. It's this kind of stuff.
Another gem.
And people with views like this would presume to tell you how to live your life.
The whole point is that the Church shouldn't have to "excuse" the Inquisition, as it was perfectly justified.The Sixth Kind of Sentence, in the Case of one who is Gravely Suspect
[...] It is to be noted that, if the witch maintains her denial, or claims that she uttered those words not with the implied intention but in a vehement and womanish passion; then the Judge has not sufficient warrant to sentence her to the flames, in spite of the grave suspicion. Therefore he must place her in prison [...] and from this he can proceed further so that, before all else, she may be exposed to an interrogation under the question and torture. [...] And in case all should fail, then let him take note that, if she has perpetrated the like before, she is not to be altogether released, but must be sent to the squalor of prison for a year, and be tortured, and be examined very often, especially on the more Holy Days. But if, in addition to this, she has been defamed, then the Judge may proceed in the manner already shown in the case of simple heresy, and condemn her to the fire [...]
Of the Continuing of the Torture, and of the Devices and Signs by which the Judge can Recognize a Witch; and how he ought to Protect himself from their Spells. Also how they are to be Shaved in Parts where they use to Conceal the Devil's Masks and Tokens
[...] The third precaution to be observed in this tenth action is that the hair should be shaved from every part of her body. The reason for this is the same as that for stripping her of her clothes, which we have already mentioned; for in order to preserve their power of silence they are in the habit of hiding some superstitious object in their clothes or in their hair, or even in the most secret parts of the their bodies which must not be named. [...]
Of the Third Kind of Sentence, to be Pronounced on one who is Defamed, and who is to be put to the Question
[...] And in the first place, if the accused remains firm in his denials and can in no way be induced by honest men to confess the truth, the following manner of sentence, which is in some respects definitive, shall be used.
We N., by the mercy of God Bishop of such a town, or Judge in the territory subject to the rule of such a Prince, having regard to the merits of the process conducted by us against you N., of such a place in such a Diocese, and after careful examination, find that you are not consistent in your answers, and that there are sufficient indications besides that you ought to be exposed to the question and torture. Therefore, that the truth may be known from your own mouth and that from henceforth you may not offend the ears of your Judges with your equivocations, we declare, pronounce, and give sentence that on this present day at such an hour you are to be subjected to an interrogatory under torture. [...] But if he has refused to confess, the torture can be continued on the day assigned, more or less severely according to the gravity of the offences in question. [...]
Of One who has Confessed to Heresy, is Relapsed, and is also Impenitent
[...] And with all our hearts we desired and still desire to lead you back to the unity of the Holy Church and to drive out from your heart the said foul heresy, that so you may save your soul and preserve your body and soul from the destruction in hell, and we have exerted our utmost endeavor by various fitting methods to convert to salvation; but you have been given up to your sin and led away and seduced by an evil spirit, and have chosen to be tortured with fearful and eternal torment in hell, and that your temporal body should here be consumed in the flames, rather than to give ear to better counsels and renounce your damnable and pestilent errors, and to return to the merciful bosom of our Holy Mother Church.
-- The Malleus Maleficarum (The Witch Hammer), first published in 1486, guidebook for the Inquisition.
Perfectly justified?