Since the 2nd century A.D., when the early Christians condemned the Gnostics as heretics for maintaining that salvation can be obtained through knowledge alone, many Christian faiths have found the accusation of heresy a handy tool to keep dissidents in line or toss them out. For supposedly challenging church doctrine, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431; so were Czech Reform Leader John Hus in 1415 and the impassioned Dominican Savonarola in 1498 (he was hanged first for good measure). In recent history, however, punishments for heresy have grown less brutal, and the charge has only...
To continue reading:
or Log-In
