[js1138]

It's always good to hear someone defend the right of churches to conduct criminal trials based on people's writings and beliefs.

What should church courts conduct trials of, aside from church members' writings and beliefs?

I think I'll let that question hang in the air.

[Aquinasfan]

I think I'll let that question hang in the air.

Because you can't answer it.

A church is defined by its beliefs. If someone claiming to be a member of a church publicly repudiates or distorts a teaching of his church, his church has a right to punish or excommunicate him.

Heresy.

Galileo's punishment may have been unjust and imprudent, but Church tribunals are not unjust per se.