CRM 1301 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Serval, Social Control, Strappado
26 Jun 2018
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LECTURE 2: THE DEMONIC PERSPECTIVE
SALLEM MASSECHUSSETS (1693)
During this time, religion was a dominating factor in society. One day, Reverend Samuel
Parris realized that after spending their days with Tituba, his daughter and niece were
starting to act strange (they would convulse and howl like a dog). It was believed that
these girls were acting as such because they were possessed. They were then asked to
name the witches that did this to them. The girls named Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne and
Tituba. These three women were put on trial. They were asked if they were a witch, if
they’d seen Satan, how they would explain the off behaviors of the girls. Both Sarah
Good and Sarah Osborne said that they were innocent; however, Tituba confessed to
being a witch. The three women were burned at the stake, Tituba’s confession served to
silence the people. Those who didn’t believe in witches did not go against the concept of
witches because they knew they would be targets of accusation if they expressed their
thoughts.
The presence of the devil was seen through birthing stillborn, animals born with
defects, etc…
As time went on, more names were given and more individuals were killed. This
is known as the Salem Witch Trials.
ASSUMPTIONS OF DEMONOLOGY
Look for the cause and cure of deviant behavior in the realm of the supernatural.
oThe idea that the world is a battlefield of supernatural good and bad
forces.
oSome individuals get into contact with the devil and corrupt and influence
others in society.
The Inquisition
oThe name that was given to this time.
oIt is referring to the tribunal courts used by the Catholic Church in order to
root out and suppress witches.
Heretics
oSynonym for witches
oAnyone who goes against what the Catholic Church says/does.
oAnyone who puts forth things that were contrary to the Catholic faith.
Deviance = Sin
oActions and behaviors that go again society’s norms
oThose who went against God were labeled a witch.
oAn individual that was deviant and criminal were viewed to be sinners and
a transgression against the will of God.
Deviance has cosmic consequences:
1. Harmful to Victims
2. Harmful to God
It was a transgression against God.
3. The entire cosmos
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Everything was believed to be interconnected.
For example: If someone did something deviant, the plans, the soil, etc.,
would be affected
TWO PATHS TO DEMONIC DEVIANCE
1. Temptation
The belief that individuals can be tempted and if they don’t have enough
will power they will give into these temptations.
During this religious time, it was believed that no matter how tempting the
offerings might be, the individuals always had the power to day no.
2. Possession
The idea that the devil has taken possession of a person’s body and mind
which causes evil behavior.
When one is possessed by the evil spirit, they are no longer responsible for
their actions.
THE TRIALS
Accused must testify
oIf the individual refused to testify, this was proof of guilt and being a
heretic.
oThe individual being accused is not immediately informed on their
charges.
Anyone could testify against him/her
oThe individual being charged was not told who their accuser was.
No supporters
oThere was no legal assistance
5 TYPES OF EVIDENCE TO CONVICT
1. Trial by clever test
The individual being accused would come before the inquisitor and would
need to recite the lord’s prayer.
If the individual was not able to properly recite the prayer, they would be
labeled as a witch.
The problem with this is that individuals were nervous making the chances of
mistakes higher.
2. Individual Testimony
“She is a witch and I have two dead cows to prove it”
3. Physical marks of the devil
Anyone who had a physical abnormality had been bitten by the devil and is
now symbolic of the pact that the person has with the devil.
Moles, scars and disfigurations were considered marks from the devil.
4. Spectral evidence
An individual has a dream or a vision that a person was a witch.
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find more resources at oneclass.com
It was believed that the devil could not take the shape of an innocent person’s
body. If the devil could take possession of the individual, it means that they
were guilty.
5. Confessions
Bring the accused back to the faith
oIt was believed that confessions were a form of penance
The main goal was to extract a confession for the guilty
oA confession is an example of a person being forgiven. It was a way of
saving one’s soul.
oThe afterlife is better for them with a confession.
oInquisitors were better educated than their subjects and were trained in
questioning. Their goal was to get to you confess.
Industry
oWitch hunting was a very lucrative business.
oThe more names there were; the more money there was to
make.
Use of torture
CONFESSIONAL DEVICES
This was a way to illicit a confession. It was not used on those that were already
found guilty.
1. The Head crusher
The inquisitor would ask the individual accused if they were a witch
and if they engaged in specific behaviors.
If the inquisitor did not receive the desired answer, they would tighten
the nob.
Many experienced broken teeth, broken jaws, and eyes that have come
out of their sockets.
2. The Inquisitional Chair
The individual would be strapped onto the chair.
The inquisitor would begin to ask questions.
Just by sitting in the chair there would be pain as the
chair as there was metal spikes on the chair that
would pierce through the skin.
The chair also produces heat so one would get
burned if the inquisitor did not get the desired
answers to their questions.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
During this time, religion was a dominating factor in society. Parris realized that after spending their days with tituba, his daughter and niece were starting to act strange (they would convulse and howl like a dog). It was believed that these girls were acting as such because they were possessed. They were then asked to name the witches that did this to them. The girls named sarah good, sarah osborne and. They were asked if they were a witch, if they"d seen satan, how they would explain the off behaviors of the girls. Good and sarah osborne said that they were innocent; however, tituba confessed to being a witch. The three women were burned at the stake, tituba"s confession served to silence the people. Those who didn"t believe in witches did not go against the concept of witches because they knew they would be targets of accusation if they expressed their thoughts.
