Misconceptions About the Inquisition

The Holy Inquisition, instituted by the Catholic church in the 12th century, is associated with terrible methods of investigation and execution, involving all sorts of bizarre instruments of torture. While this is true, it is seldom mentioned that these very same methods were also used by secular courts at the time. Torture was part of all criminal investigations, and penalties were often brutal and inhumane.

The Inquisition was not unique in its bizarre rituals and investigations. What was unique and special about the Inquisition was not the way it was executed, but the fact that it was dedicated entirely to what we today call thought crimes. There were certain beliefs and thoughts that were illegal, and it was the task of the Inquisition to uncover such thoughts, and dish out appropriate punishments.

Furthermore, the methods of torture employed by the Inquisition were not invented by the Inquisition. They were invented by the secular court system and simply copied into the mechanics of investigation used by the Inquisition. As far as methodology, the Inquisition and the secular court systems were identical.

This means that if the Inquisition was to be reinstated today, it would take the form of a special branch of the judiciary system dedicated exclusively to thought crimes. It would not use different methods from other courts. Things would be done exactly as they are done in any other criminal investigation. However, this separate court would focus exclusively on politically incorrect ideas and attitudes. It would be a court with the power to bring in people based on public statements and on hearsay related to how they bring up their children, engage in commerce or generally transact in society.

By Alain Manesson Mallet - Private Collections - Lisbon, Public Domain, Link