“The Malleus Maleficarum” , commonly translated to “The Witches Hammer” in the english language, is a book written in 1486 by a man named Heinrich Kramer who was an Inquisitor of the Catholic Church. Jacob Sprenger was also said to have contributed as an author though today some scholars now believe that Jacob Sprenger was only brought into association with the book as a way for Heinrich Kramer to lend the book more official authority. In the year of 1487 the book was first published in Speyer, Germany. The Witches Hammer was written to prove that witches existed, to refute any arguments or doubts about the existence of witches. It explained what witches are(basically satanic heretics who cavort with devils), that they are almost always
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It also started to firmly establish the belief that anyone who expressed doubt or unbelief in witches or in the methods or ideas taught through the book were heretics. The teachings from the book are said to have directly led to and influenced the death of between 40,000 - 60,000 people, mostly women but men as well as children were included. The Witches Hammer was not the first of it’s kind to be written but it was by far the most widely read and influential book on the subject with an estimated 30,000 copies printed and circulated around Europe. It’s ideas and teachings even spread to the New World and many feel was very influential in bringing about the famous witch hunts in the early colonies, such as the Salem Witch …show more content…
Before my attitude was one where I knew it was my right to practise as I saw fit but that when sharing about my beliefs and practise I felt on guard and more or less expected a negative reaction. Now I am striving to change my attitude to one of joy. To let my joy and love of my beliefs and practices to shine through and share with others in an attitude I would have when sharing something lovely and wonderful, something I believe to be precious and positive. I choose to believe that given a chance most people will react in a positive or at least tolerant
It also started to firmly establish the belief that anyone who expressed doubt or unbelief in witches or in the methods or ideas taught through the book were heretics. The teachings from the book are said to have directly led to and influenced the death of between 40,000 - 60,000 people, mostly women but men as well as children were included. The Witches Hammer was not the first of it’s kind to be written but it was by far the most widely read and influential book on the subject with an estimated 30,000 copies printed and circulated around Europe. It’s ideas and teachings even spread to the New World and many feel was very influential in bringing about the famous witch hunts in the early colonies, such as the Salem Witch …show more content…
Before my attitude was one where I knew it was my right to practise as I saw fit but that when sharing about my beliefs and practise I felt on guard and more or less expected a negative reaction. Now I am striving to change my attitude to one of joy. To let my joy and love of my beliefs and practices to shine through and share with others in an attitude I would have when sharing something lovely and wonderful, something I believe to be precious and positive. I choose to believe that given a chance most people will react in a positive or at least tolerant