But considering the level of denial about it by Catholics, I’m nor going to take their word for what it was really all about either.
How do you know it's denial if you haven't looked into the facts?
But, by all means, do not take our word for it. But DO look into the FACTS. That would be a rare and delightful step in the right direction.
OK. Provide us skeptics with a good non-Catholic source for an unbiased look at the Inquisition.
And BTW, doing a google search on *tools of the inquisition* will interfere with the soundness of your sleep.
The biggest atrocity of the whole Inquisition was that it was done in the name of Christ and the purity of the Catholic church.
No matter how you slice it, the Inquisition is a major black mark in the history of the Catholic church and Catholics would get further with non-Catholics by simply admitting it instead of trying to dismiss it, downplay it, or blameshift.