Why were people punished for heresy?

[sunmi]

Hi, so I’m in the middle of writing an essay, and I can’t seem to find out why exactly people were punished for heresy in the middle ages, and why it had an effect on the laws today. If anybody can tell me I’d be very thankful.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Hi, so I’m in the middle of writing an essay, and I can’t seem to find out why exactly people were punished for heresy in the middle ages, and why it had an effect on the laws today. If anybody can tell me I’d be very thankful.

You have to remember that before technology, knowledge was VERY limited to places of learning–Church, schools and the like. Because of this, being an authority was a matter of perception. A town leader, a school teacher and ESPECIALLY a priest were often seen as the final authority in a local area.

When one of these people were preaching heretical ideas, it was vital that they were condemned and punished by the Church. Heretical ideas sewed doubt and confusion in the faithful. With literacy only becoming wide-spread in modern times it was quite impossible for people to investigate error or defend against it.

This top-down approach meant that leaders were responsible for stopping heresy.

Not sure how it would relate to today’s laws, except maybe slander where the government steps in and tells someone that they are forbidden from spreading falsehoods.

 

[sunmi]

thank you so much for your answer! I do understand a lot more from what I did

 

[steve-b]

Hi, so I’m in the middle of writing an essay, and I can’t seem to find out why exactly people were punished for heresy in the middle ages, and why it had an effect on the laws today. If anybody can tell me I’d be very thankful.

English translation from Greek, doesn’t always give us a good word comparison.

Example:

Tit 3:10-11
10 As for a man who is factious, [ αἱρετικὸν ], after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

[ αἱρετικὸν ], = heresy = [http://bibleapps.com/greek/141.htm] and note Paul says one if they don’t change, is already self condemned.

and

Romans 16:17-20 , Galatians 5:19-21 [http://bibleapps.com/greek/1370.htm] the same word for division/dissension in Greek is used in those 2 passages [διχοστασίαι,] http://bibleapps.com/greek/1370.htm …… And the consequence for that sin? _ Paul says “I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God_”. IOW they go to hell when they die

 

[joeybaggz]

I also believe I’ve heard that no lay person has ever been accused or censured by the church for heresy. Not totally sure but I remember my source at the time was a good one.

 

[steve-b]

I also believe I’ve heard that no lay person has ever been accused or censured by the church for heresy. Not totally sure but I remember my source at the time was a good one.

Here’s 3 examples

(an ecumenical council)
Heresy (mentioned 13 times) and those who are in it, (all named)
[http://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/FLORENCE.HTM#5]

A papal encyclical (Re: in particular Luther)
Heresy, heretical etc as to persons and beliefs is mentioned 13+ times
[http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Leo10/l10exdom.htm]

Papal encyclical calling Luther a heretic and excommunicating him
[http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Leo10/l10decet.htm]

 

[Mary_Ellen]

It is my understanding that (at certain times in history) many of those punished for heresy were found out by the Church but punished by civil authorities. Those who promoted heresy promoted civil unrest and there was little tolerance for that at the time - thus civil punishments for the crime of heresy.

 

[tomarin]

Off the cuff, I’d say that the idea of having the right to not violate your conscience is a thoroughly modern idea.