Reply #65: I agree with you. About the Inquisition though...

[BigMcLargehuge]

It began in Spain when Ferdinand and Isabella wanted to consolidate their power and protect themselves from the "sinister forces" of the recently converted Jews, or "Conversi" and it was on this group that the full force of the Inquision was first turned.

As the inquisition moved into Northern Europe the Inquisition targetted Jews, Protestants, Pagans and others, and like in some many later examples of too much power in the hands of too few, the populace used the Inquisition as a way to settle personal vendettas rather than as a machine to root out paganism. Quite a large number of otherwise normal everyday Catholics were also put to the flames based on the acusations of their neighbors.

More often then not, it was the Northern European Jews who were first targetted by the flames and irons of the Inquisition.

Once the practice arrived in England it was used to round up and wipe out Cromwells supporters.