A small girl fell sick in 1692. Her "fits"--convulsions, contortions, and outbursts of gibberish--baffled everyone. Other girls soon manifested the same symptoms. Their doctor could suggest but one cause. Witchcraft. That grim diagnosis launched a Puritan inquisition that took 25 lives, filled the jails with innocent people, and jaded the soul of a Massachusetts community called Salem.
The idea of witchery in communities began around 1231 in England when Pope Gregory claimed the in the biblical readings said that witches must die.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
1 Peter 5:8
Many superstitious villagers took the fierce responsibility of tracking witches and capturing them upon them selves. Then the "witch" would then be tried for proof. There were also many torture chambers that authorities would use to literally pry the truth of satanic fellowship. This era of time was extremely high in superstitions, and baffled beliefs.
Examination of a Witch by T. H. Matteson, inspired...
"The witch no. 1" lithograph
The Pickman House, Back view that abuts the Salem ...The reason behind the ignorant knowledge is simply because people weren't educated. The people would follow what ever an educated person would say.
King Charles started a creation of a theocracy in 1629. This allowed the government and church to work as one. Thus, what the bible said was the law. Puritans at the time lived their life rule for rule out of the scriptures. To many people, the devil was a real fear of everyday life. Often village people would have acute paranoia of satanic demons and evils in their surroundings. People would be afraid of the outskirts of town, in fear of the devil hiding and trying to surpass a person's Christian heart. Because of the notation of Satan being very seductive, women (the natural seducer) were highly questioned. Whispers and rumors started to become unanimous about...