Duality. While late medieval communities most feared the material ill effects of witchcraft, inquisitor's manuals from the early fourteenth century reveal a different set of concerns. Chief among them was the desecration, perversion or imitation of the sacraments. This reflects the Church's wider concern with heresy, the possibility of a counter-church capable of polluting christian society. Inquisitors were instructed to inquire particularly into the theft of the host or of holy oils. If this was happening at all it was more likely to result in the subversion rather than diabolical inversion of church practices. However the exercise of inquisitors' power was not simply repressive of deviance but also productive of orthodox christian identities. In this context tales of host desecration were used to boost belief in the miracle or transubstantiation.
Duality. I love looking at words. Witchcraft and its duality might be one to consider today. I am fascinated with certain ones, the exact lettering in one transformed to another. How about Satan and Santa?
ReplyDeleteGood grief Satan in my socks. Not sure I will ever put out a Christmas stocking again :D
DeleteThis is so ironic to me, especially since the church borrowed so heavily from pagans in their mythology and holidays!
ReplyDeleteYes! In Roman times the christians were the first heretical sect. I'm inclined to view as a struggle for legitimate power/dominance...
DeleteSorry, this one is above my pay grade to understand. All the more reason to ponder the thought today...
ReplyDeleteThere's a good chance you are too intelligent to understand what I'm talking about....
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