Children Quote by Patrick J. Carnes
““By the Middles Ages it was a sin to have sex with a child. If an adult were guilty of such a sin, one remedy was to declare the child a witch. The child thus became an offender who "beguiled" the adult with the power of the Evil One. Understanding this process puts a new light on the burning of witches. A Catholic bishop in Wurttemberg in the seventeenth century writes, for example, of his sadness at having presided over the burning of three hundred young girls that year and of his wonder if the church were making a mistake.””
About This Quote
Source Historical Text: 17th‑century Catholic bishop correspondence, Wurttemberg
The quote links medieval sexual sins to witch accusations, suggesting that children were labeled witches to protect adults, illuminating how fear and scapegoating fueled witch burnings.
In simple terms: Children were blamed to shield adults, fueling witch hunts.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how scapegoating distorts justice.
Themes
history
religion
justice
gender
power
Mood
reflective
critical
somber
Type
historical
analytical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- education
- child protection
- historical research
Key Concepts
scapegoating
moral panic
institutional abuse
Questions to Reflect On
- How do societies choose scapegoats?
- What mechanisms protect vulnerable groups today?
A Different Perspective
The claim oversimplifies complex social dynamics and may not reflect all regional practices.
![“To the Jacobins of this epoch [the French Revolution], as well as to those of our times, this popular entity constitutes a superior personality possessing attributes peculiar to the gods of never having to answer for their actions and never making a mistake. Their wishes must be humbly acceded to…” quote by Gustave Le Bon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eb6/gustave-le-bon-10163_character_to-the-jacobins-of-this-epoch-the-french_220492.jpg)
