Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe - Essay Example

There is a clear argument on the place of the church in combating witchcraft, through hunting the using the spirit. It is clear that the church did possess a fundamental role in combating the witchcraft woes. Even when a friend or an enemy accused somebody, what followed was immediate prosecution without even confirmation of the events or the authenticity of the information. It was too unjust, even as they try to ensure that every person did heed the societal norms.

In the discussion, there are claims that the church even took advantage of the witchcraft issue, and could punish any person who did not follow its precepts, with the claim that they were in possession of the witch. All that did instill fear among people. Such people were punished and excommunicated from all the societal activities (Barry, Jonathan, Marianne & Roberts, pg. 318). Essentially, the analysis of the discussion led to a rise of various concepts that were not there previously. Most significantly, the role of the church in combating the witchcraft issues was not praised.

The church had ventured into the earthly aspects and forgotten their core mandate, which is spreading the Good News of the Risen Christ. Prosecution through death was also against the Christian teachings, as the Ten Commandments stipulate that one should not kill. Only God has the power to take life away. It is so sad that even before one was presumed guilty, he or she was already prosecuted. There does emerge a very sensitive issue. Does the church follow the aspects of justice? How did they establish that whatever was being said was the utmost truth?

Torture was rampant, and it did remain so contradicting that the church was not in a position to preach about justice, but rather coerced all the suspects.