Ironically, we live in a time of science and information. We do not know everything, but the era of ignorance is considered over due to how far we have come.
If you think about it, we've taken some pretty big steps in the last century alone, even more so in the past one thousand years. From horse and carriage to jet planes and from a star-gazing vacation in the mountains to literally having vacations in space. On the topic of religion, we now know that certain things do need to be looked into before being considered the "absolute" truth and just because something is different or "unorthodox," it does not have to be evil. We also know, understand, and accept the fact that good and evil are matters of opinion and perspective.
Again, we do not know everything and as such I expect to see some pretty big steps taken over the next few lives as well as, of course, the remainder of this life. For example, spreading such knowledge to the third world countries and bringing them up to speed with the rest of the world. That is something I would love to see.
Note: in this post the word "we" refers to humanity as a whole, generally speaking. I understand that this post is not 100% true for every single individual, but I believe it to be accurate for humanity in general.
I just found something interesting to share that I was previously unaware of.
About Saint Joan of Arc-
"One of five children born to Jacques d’Arc and Isabelle Romee. Shepherdess. Mystic. From age 13 she received visions from Saint Margaret of Antioch, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and Michael the Archangel.
In the early 15th century, England, in alliance with Burgundy, controlled most of what is modern France. In May 1428 Joan’s visions told her to find the true king of France and help him reclaim his throne. She resisted for more than three years, but finally went to Charles VII in Chinon and told him of her visions. Carrying a banner that read “Jesus, Mary”, she led troops from one battle to another. She was severely wounded, but her victories from 23 February 1429 to 23 May 1430 brought Charles VII to the throne. Captured by the Burgundians during the defence of Compiegne, she was sold to the English for 10 thousand francs. She was put on trial by an ecclesiastical court conducted by Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais, a supporter of England, and was excuted as a heretic. In 1456 her case was re-tried, and Joan was acquitted (23 years too late).
“About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they’re just one thing, and we shouldn’t complicate the matter.” - Saint Joan of Arc, as recorded at her trial
Born
*6 January 1412 at Greux-Domremy, Lorraine, France
Died
*burned alive on 30 May 1431 at Rouen, France
Beatified
*11 April 1905 by Pope Saint Pius X
Canonized
*16 May 1920 by Pope Benedict XV
Name Meaning
*God is gracious"
"Beatified" means "to make supremely happy"
or "to declare to have attained the blessedness of heaven and authorize the title “Blessed” and limited public religious honor."
"Canonized" means she was officially granted the title of Saint.
I'm sharing this because I think it's interesting that she was burned alive as a heretic, then later praised as a saint.
All I know is that some witch trials were held during the Great Awakening. People were blaming their Devil on all the problems they had. I guess since people belive one of the devils helpers is witches, they started to have trials and exacutions.
When I was in the 3rd grade my history teacher told me that I would have been burned during the salem witch trials because I have a mole on my right check. Now that being true or not I don't know, but that is when I started really believing in magic.
They also believed being left-handed, or having ginger, curly hair were signs of a witch. There were a lot of beleifs and superstions in the past that seem stupid to us now, but they made sense back then.
Something which might be of interest is the trial of Theoris of Lemnos, a young Greek woman in 4th century BCE who was burned at the stake for being a ''pharmakis'' or witch. (1)
Also it is interesting to note that the priesthoods of pre-Christian pagan gods also generally depised witches, presumably as perceived rivals to their established power. (2)
References:
1) Echoes of the Goddess: Simon Brighton and Terry Welbourn
Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it they were either burnt to death or tortured to admit to being witches and then had to promise that they will leave their ways of witchcraft.
I would have gladly died Wiccan than to be forced into another religion.
