Malleus Practice

Misfortune takes a quiet seat in the back of the bus for many people, but it is always there riding behind you. My recent trip to Salem is now over, but it has left me with that haunted feeling that sometimes tragedy just won’t let go. Reading up on the history of witches and the belief therein, it is pretty clear that the whole idea began as a form of theodicy. Misfortune happens. When a one-to-one correspondence attends it, people don’t worry too much. (John has a stomachache. We know that John slapped Bob, and Bob punched John in the stomach so there’s no supernatural agent at work here.) When the adversity comes out of nowhere, to all appearances, we naturally look for a cause. As long ago as ancient Sumer, and probably before, the answer was sometimes the baleful influence of enemies with supernatural powers. The witch was born.

This idea has remarkable longevity. Even as the eighteenth century dawned, just a few short years after the tragedy at Salem, Puritans and politicians embarrassingly looked at their feet and admitted this mockery of justice had been an unfortunate error. Yet they still believed witches existed. The concept is alive even today in parts of the world minimally influenced by schooling in science and logic. (I taught at a seminary where various witch hunts still took place; books were even burned.) Who doesn’t know the feeling that a totally natural disaster was in some way targeting them? Whether tornadoes, tsunamis, or rain on your Memorial Day picnic, the normal human response is one of a minor (or major) persecution complex.

To solve the riddle of witches, horseshoes and witch bottles are not necessary, but education is. Witchcraft was not considered Satanic until the late Middle Ages when apocalyptic fever raged through Europe with the Black Death. Not understanding microbes, the populace supposed a great war presaging the end of times was escalating between God and Satan. The minions of the Dark Lord were spawned by witches and demons. (Add Tim LaHaye and you’ve pretty much got Left Behind.) To solve the problems of the righteous, sacrifice a few innocent victims. If we call them witches—actually any undesirable name will do, eh, Senator McCarthy?—we will feel justified in doing so. The real solution, namely, working together to overcome natural and human-made afflictions, is really just too hard.

4 responses to “Malleus Practice

  1. Henk van der Gaast

    Damn pesky inlaws! You mean I didnt have to go through all that hassle with the wooden stake when a hammer would have sufficed? Thanks for the tip.

    I’ll note this mythologic ineptness on my behalf and plan for my up and coming mariages.

  2. Henk van der Gaast

    ps apparently the Sumerians had the first written recipe for beer (Bappir?).

    That’s two epoch lasting observations on their behalf. Pity the Indus folk weren’t have as clever to write their stuff down in a neat legible manner.

  3. Steve Wiggins

    Yes, Henk, the Sumerians gave us our first legible beer recipe; over here, however, India Pale Ale dominates the market so I guess the Indus folk have the last laugh.

  4. Wow, Budweiser is dead?? Yippee!

    I am not sure the Indians wouldn’t claim IPA as Russians wouldn’t claim RIS.

    Dont you guys discriminate by using APA?

    Perversely, California common is perfect for the Sydney homebrewer. Steam away.

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