Burning heretics

[public hermit]

On this day (October 27) in 1553, Michael Servetus was burned at the stake in Geneva for spreading heretical beliefs concerning the Trinity.

Michael Servetus - Wikipedia

I cannot make sense of executing others for heretical beliefs. But, for better or worse, Christians have done just that. It seems to me, if it is wrong to execute heretics today, then it was wrong to do so in the past. But, some might disagree.

How did you vote and why?

 

[Lost4words]

Its wrong to murder.

 

[Sketcher]

In the New Testament, the Judaizers and the Gnostics were called out as heretics. Not once is there an order, explicit or implicit, to take one out.

 

[dzheremi]

I voted no, not only because my heretics are different than yours, but because God generally takes care of those who need to be taken care of (see, e.g., the death of Arius).

 

[Basil the Great]

Its wrong to murder.

Agreed, one of the Ten Commandments is Thou Shalt Not Murder. Now, for those of you who think capital punishment is permissible, do you really think that God approves of burning people because they believe the wrong thing?

 

[Elliewaves]

Mmmmmm crispy heretics.....

 

[bèlla]

No, it’s never acceptable.

People have done horrible things in God’s name that He never sanctioned.

~Bella

 

[rockytopva]

The salvation of the old Saint of the Wilderness Robert Sheffey came at a revival meeting at an old store building. There were drunks there who wold pelt the preacher with corn cobs, but Robert and a few others went up front to make their profession of faith in Christ. Robert wanted to defend the meeting, but the preacher would not hear to it, and maintained the furtherance of the gospel must be non-violent. Which was the correct thing to do!

"I will certainly do my best to see that no rowdy crowd comes up here again and bothers you even if I have to knock them down the stairs with this poker." - Robert Sheffey

"That is not the way of the Savior, my young brother. You do want to be more like Him?" -asked the preacher

"Yes." - Replied Robert

"Then he who would be more like the Christ must study the Bible and learn of His life and works. Imitate Him in all your thoughts and deeds. You are not so foolish as to think that that will come easy?"- The preacher from the readings of "The Saint of the Wilderness" by Jess Carr

 

[Sketcher]

Now, for those of you who think capital punishment is permissible, do you really think that God approves of burning people because they believe the wrong thing?

Definitely not.

 

[rockytopva]

On this day (October 27) in 1553, Michael Servetus was burned at the stake in Geneva for spreading heretical beliefs concerning the Trinity.

Michael Servetus - Wikipedia

I cannot make sense of executing others for heretical beliefs. But, for better or worse, Christians have done just that. It seems to me, if it is wrong to execute heretics today, then it was wrong to do so in the past. But, some might disagree.

How did you vote and why?

Noting the execution of Michael Servetus was done by Calvinist. Martin Luther and John Calvin turned out to be terrible men in their old age. And to quote...

"Pure devilry is urging on the peasants…. Therefore let all who are able, mow them down, slaughter and stab them, openly or in secret, and remember that there is nothing more poisonous, noxious and utterly devilish than a rebel. You must kill him as you would a mad dog…" -Martin Luther

"Whoever shall maintain that wrong is done to heretics and blasphemers in punishing them makes himself an accomplice in their crime and guilty as they are. There is no question here of man's authority; it is God who speaks, and clear it is what law he will have kept in the church, even to the end of the world. Wherefore does he demand of us a so extreme severity, if not to show us that due honor is not paid him, so long as we set not his service above every human consideration, so that we spare not kin, nor blood of any, and forget all humanity when the matter is to combat for His glory." - John Calvin, after the death of Michael Servetus

 

[timothyu]

Once opponents were called heretics. Today they are called right, left or terrorists.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

On this day (October 27) in 1553, Michael Servetus was burned at the stake in Geneva for spreading heretical beliefs concerning the Trinity.

Michael Servetus - Wikipedia

I cannot make sense of executing others for heretical beliefs. But, for better or worse, Christians have done just that. It seems to me, if it is wrong to execute heretics today, then it was wrong to do so in the past. But, some might disagree.

How did you vote and why?

On this side of Christ, and before the Great White Throne judgment, I don't generally think it's acceptable to execute heretics...................unless they also happen to be some kind of very serious public offender.

Personally, whenever I come across someone in a pseudo-Christian cult, I just commit them to prayer in the hope they'll come to see the light in Christ much more clearly.

 

[Anthony2019]

With all the drownings, burnings and hangings that have tainted the whole of Christendom, I am left wondering what part of "love your enemies" they did not understand.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Agreed, one of the Ten Commandments is Thou Shalt Not Murder. Now, for those of you who think capital punishment is permissible, do you really think that God approves of burning people because they believe the wrong thing?

Goodness no! God wants heretics to be stoned to death.

 

[Sam91]

I voted other because God is judge. Crucifying Jesus has to be the most heretical thing to do. He prayed that they'd be forgiven. So, who are we to condemn others?

God may turn them around like when Paul was zealously persecuting the early Church. He was mistaken in thinking they were the heretics. The Lord made clear to Paul his mistake and Paul converted.

When Ananias and Sapphira lied to the apostles, God struck them down dead.

When Nabal didn't help David he died shortly after. When Saul consulted a medium he took his own life (I think I might be correct in thinking that his death was already earmarked and Samuel told him so when he appeared to him from beyond the grave).

Jezebel's death was foretold and occurred the way it was prophesied.

If the Lord wants someone executed I am sure His will would be done. However, I am equally convinced they would die from seemingly 'natural' causes or illness instead.

Rather than sully our own hands I think it is best to take a stance against execution.

 

[Robban]

On this day (October 27) in 1553, Michael Servetus was burned at the stake in Geneva for spreading heretical beliefs concerning the Trinity.

Michael Servetus - Wikipedia

I cannot make sense of executing others for heretical beliefs. But, for better or worse, Christians have done just that. It seems to me, if it is wrong to execute heretics today, then it was wrong to do so in the past. But, some might disagree.

How did you vote and why?

I wanted to choose #5 but it would not have been correct.
As a starting point,
if someone honestly and genuinely comes to a different conclusion,

Does this make him/her a heretic?

If they are wrong, they are simply wrong.

Another kettle of fish is it when do it with a wicked motive of misleading for own gains,
or just to disrupt.

The whole time knowing what they are doing.

 

[timothyu]

I am left wondering what part of "love your enemies" they did not understand.

They would have been more accepting of giving rather than taking was more materially profitable. Such is the way of man and why the Kingdom was forced to take a back seat in Christianity.

 

[timothyu]

Will the Gentile church be punished for forcing the Jewish Christians to assimilate, winner take all?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

With all the drownings, burnings and hangings that have tainted the whole of Christendom, I am left wondering what part of "love your enemies" they did not understand.

....The misunderstanding some Christians have had in the past was probably be due to instances where questionable hermeneutics have also gone into interpreting passages like those we find in Luke chapters 19 and 20. (e.g. Luke 19:27, Luke 20:16, etc.)

 

[timothyu]

....It was probably due to some of the questionable hermeneutics that have gone into interpreting passages like those we find in Luke chapters 19 and 20. (e.g. Luke 19:27, Luke 20:16, etc.)

Teaching repentance and turning man from self interest to servitude need not be seen as violence. That is the thinking of worldly man.