Religious attitudes were not the fundamental reason for the persecution of witches in Europe between 1580 – 1660, but rather socio-economic factors. Witch persecution was relevant during these years as it was from 1580 legislation started to be put in place that encouraged persecution and ended in 1660 as this was where persecution started to fall (notably from the rise in new science). Here it will be considered why religious attitudes may have been seen as “fundamental”, as well as the counter-argument. In reviewing this, law and political attitudes as well as socio-economic attitudes will be taken into account when comparing against religious ones. Religious attitudes were not the fundamental reason for the persecution of witches in Europe
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It is also somewhat valuable as it questions if there is an actual link between the increased persecution of witches and religion. The perspective of the source comes from Thomas Ady, an intellectual who took an interest in a more rational approach to witchcraft. The source’s content is somewhat valuable as it questions the connection between witchcraft and the devil stating, “where is it written in all the old and new testaments that a witch is a murderer... where do we find the real of a he-devil or she-devil". This conveys that the increased tensions surrounding witchcraft and the devil cannot be directly from the Bible, but rather a societal influence. However, the source is limited in its value as whilst Ady proves that witchcraft is never mentioned in the bible, religion was still largely used to justify persecution. The provenance limits the source’s value. Ady was an English Physician and Humanist who was largely influenced by the works of Reginald Scott, author of ‘The Discoveries of Witchcraft’. This led him to studying witchcraft, encountering cases that were often based on superstitious beliefs rather than scientific. This scientific background of Ady’s, whilst may have allowed him to have a more rational viewpoint towards the persecution, he was an exception as the scientific revolution only occurred during the late 17th century and up until then the majority followed religious attitudes. Nonetheless, the tone of the source also adds to its value as it is very direct in questioning ideas. This can be seen in the repeated use of rhetorical questions, such as, “that witches can hurt corn or cattle... or can fly in the air?”. Overall, this source is somewhat valuable in relation to proving that religion as a theme was not the fundamental reason for the persecution of witches between 1580 and
It is also somewhat valuable as it questions if there is an actual link between the increased persecution of witches and religion. The perspective of the source comes from Thomas Ady, an intellectual who took an interest in a more rational approach to witchcraft. The source’s content is somewhat valuable as it questions the connection between witchcraft and the devil stating, “where is it written in all the old and new testaments that a witch is a murderer... where do we find the real of a he-devil or she-devil". This conveys that the increased tensions surrounding witchcraft and the devil cannot be directly from the Bible, but rather a societal influence. However, the source is limited in its value as whilst Ady proves that witchcraft is never mentioned in the bible, religion was still largely used to justify persecution. The provenance limits the source’s value. Ady was an English Physician and Humanist who was largely influenced by the works of Reginald Scott, author of ‘The Discoveries of Witchcraft’. This led him to studying witchcraft, encountering cases that were often based on superstitious beliefs rather than scientific. This scientific background of Ady’s, whilst may have allowed him to have a more rational viewpoint towards the persecution, he was an exception as the scientific revolution only occurred during the late 17th century and up until then the majority followed religious attitudes. Nonetheless, the tone of the source also adds to its value as it is very direct in questioning ideas. This can be seen in the repeated use of rhetorical questions, such as, “that witches can hurt corn or cattle... or can fly in the air?”. Overall, this source is somewhat valuable in relation to proving that religion as a theme was not the fundamental reason for the persecution of witches between 1580 and