Something rarely mentioned about the Spanish Inquisition and witch trials, is that they were demanded by the public before they went astray. Usually because the public have become fed up with criminals, perverts and annoying people making mischief.
Also, it is important to note that belief in witches was held by many of the common people, even those accused of witchery. And no doubt, there were some who actively tried to become witches, just as there are today. Except back then, they did so for nefarious purposes.
Today, what would the Secret Service do if somebody was selling voodoo dolls with the President’s face on them in a community that heavily believed in voodoo? While it does not reflect a direct threat on the President’s life, it is still a threat.
IIRC, few, if any, people were killed as witches in nations with the Inquistion. The Inquistion, as hard as it is to believe now, was probably an advancement in jurisprudence.