Twenty-five people lost their lives because of a fancy of imagination and a bit of rebellion. Nineteen persons were hung, accused of being witches. One man was tortured to death because he would not enter a plea of guilty. He was not guilty and would rather die in faith and belief in his God than claim to be a part of Satan’s lies. And finally five died in prison, this included an infant.(National Geographic) How did it start? It started with three young girls and a Caribbean house keeper named Tituba. Stories from Tituba’s homeland filled the girls’ minds and imaginations; while possibly snacks of cakes or cookies made with rye flour filled their stomachs. Shortly after the stories, the girls began having “fitts” that defied all explanation. “Lacking natural explanation the Puritans turned to the supernatural—the girls were bewitched. Prodded by Parris and others, they named their tormentors: a disheveled beggar woman named Sarah Good the elderly Sarah Osburn and Tituba herself.”(National Geographic) Those accused were outcasts, some of whom were different in thought and action and one from a heritage unknown. So it began. History in the making, lives changed, and community in turmoil.
“Lacking a natural explanation” opened the door for fear. It is in that fear that the Salem Witch Trials took place, along with some well planned politics. Reading how the accused were treated, the pressures put upon them, and the expectation placed on them, reminded me, in part, of how life is in small communities. There were affluent people in Salem, those in the middle class as well as those who were poor. There were also those who had a differing opinion on life than the others. The same holds true today. It took the pointing of one finger or in the case of 1692, three fingers, to begin with to put to death twenty-five people, innocent people. Many others had their reputation and name tarnished, if not blackened, by what the accusers said. Rumors, defamation of character, and slander resulted in a fear-induced, intolerance driven, and misunderstanding as the guide.
Not much, if any, evidence has been found that links any of the accused to witchcraft. The evidence is based on hearsay. Bridget Bishop, an outcast, flouted the Puritans. Her history made her an easy target. Because she didn’t agree with the Puritans, she was labeled a witch. She was the first to be tried, condemned, and executed. She hanged on June 10, 1692. It was said that those who were a threat to the Puritan way of living would be eliminated by whatever means they could legally use. Others followed. Another accused, Rebecca Nurse, the only one to be found not guilty, was hanged as well. The verdict of not guilt changed by the outcry of the people revoked her freedom. it fear of the unknown, intolerance, or just plain misunderstanding?
In the world today the same situations happen. Take a small village in Michigan. A quiet little place set in their ways, farmers and family. New folk move in from the West Coast, big city folk. They have a different way of doing things, different ideas, and enthusiasm. The village is not up for change. They fear what this city folk may bring to their small quiet village. So, much like Salem, there is a comment made, an observation or misunderstanding that is then misconstrued. I noticed this in the trials. What may have been a simple argument between an accused and accuser was blown out of proportion, twisted to make the accuser look good. So it has happened in the village. A hunt has ensued to uncover a chink in the armor of the new people, what can we find wrong with them to set them on their way or to shut them up. In 1692 jailing and hanging were appropriate to a degree. Today people must have grounds with proof to do that. Now they defame your character and the character of your children or spouse. A simple hug between friends can be turned in to a romantic relationship. A bad day can be turned in to a lashing act of hatred. One word from the lips of an accuser to the ears of another can kill the accused. Look how many women and men were hanged in 1692. Look at the lives today that are devastated by rumors and slander.
There is new evidence which states there may have been a fungus in the rye that the young girls had eaten that may have caused ergot poisoning (Secrets of the Dead) Hallucinations, convulsions, bizarre skin sensations, and other unusual symptoms may have been revealed. That would explain, in part, the physical aspect of what some believed to be witchcraft. (PBS) When the unknown baffles us we often search for reasons or start pointing fingers. This very well may have been what happened in Salem. A few of those accused were in the way or disliked and the accusers wanted them gone. Today, the damage is devastating; leaving families broken, relationships in ruins, and communities in upheaval. I also noticed that in the time of Jesus the same type of behavior was evident. Yes, Jesus died for us. It was the ultimate sacrifice. But there is the word of His accusers, the following of an empire, and the destruction of a man. In this case it had to be done. The association between the past, the present, and the future shows us in a very real way that the history of the past plays a part in the future. Will we learn? To look for the truth before pointing an accusing finger, to exhibit tolerance and accept change, to understand our fears. When we put these simple principals to practice we can live life not as one, who is accused, or one who accuses but as one free to live in harmony with others.
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