Heretics and Heresy

A fascinating shift between this week and last week's reading is the perspective on witchcraft/sorcery. The concept of and disdain towards heretics and heresy underscores each document within chapters 4 and 5. While both chapter 2 and chapters 4 and 5 include texts that directly address a religious leader or priest, the texts from this week are far more emphatic and angry about the current existence of heretic worship and sorcery. There is little push for redemption; instead, women witches are burnt to ash on the pyre. This more extreme approach and reaction to those practicing the demonic aspect of 'magic' can be found in passages like

"'Exterior deeds are signs of interior deeds, just as spoken words are the signs of things'" (Eymeric and Augustine, 124).

and

"Do what I tell you in order that you will not be called upon to answer for it on the day of Judgement, having been able to prevent so great an evil which might have been prevented if you had accused her" (Bernardino of Siena, 137).

The first passage is reminiscent of number 65 (and others) in the Burchard of Worms text; outward expressions of sorcery hint at an internal shunning of God. Therefore, the second passage's call to arms appears to be an evolution from Worms' sin-list. Religious and societal practices that once allowed atonement for ignorance and seduction is now an offense committed by a complete heretic. The modern perception of witch trials and paranoia appears to have its beginnings in the texts presented within these chapters.

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