Treatise in Defense of the Inquisition
There have been many complaints about the formation of the Inquistion, and the implications it may have for the members of the Kingdom. So allow me to point out several reasons why there is no cause for alarum to ease your minds.
I. Elves, Dwarves, and Humans who are inclined to virtue, and righteousness need not fear the Inquisition.
II. Aurans who are faithful to their Father, and live a life that is reconciled with His teachings need not fear the Inquisition.
III. There is no assumption of guilt should you ever face an Inquisition.
IV. It is not a punishable offense for an Elf, Dwarf, or Human to speak blasphemy.
V. The Inquisition protects against the false punishment and official label of "Heretic" by any one member of the Church against an individual. Before the formation of the Inquisition, this power could be held by any member of the clergy.
VI. The Inquisition protects against false excommunication by members of the Church.
VII. The Inquisition does not have the power to kill any member of the Kingdom, no matter how benighted they are found to be.
VIII. Fines issued by the Inquisition will be nominal at first, raising by a small number per incident for repeat offenders.
IX. Punishment given in the form of forced labor will be nominal at first, raising by a small number per incident for repeat offenders.
X. The Inquisition is used for determining whether an individual is truly benighted, or simply a dissenter.
XI. The Inquisition will try to avoid punishing where possibly, instead opting to convert or reconcile the views of the individual before admitting that they are a lost cause. To admit failure is to admit defeat.
XII. The leader of your diocese will preside over the hearings. If you don't have one, you may request any ordained member of the Church to preside over the hearings.
XIII. You will be notified ahead of time the charges against you so that you may prepare a defense
XIV. The use of tourture to obtain information is not allowed by the Inquisition.
XV. Inquisitions are run with the help of the local secular authorities, and any punishment must be approved by the local magistrate in the case that the one being tried is not of the Church.
The Inquisition punishes the wicked, the greedy, the evil, and the benighted. It educates the ignorant, and guides the lost sheep back to the flock. Why do good people cringe in fear at the mention of this Holy tool of Light?
There is evil that dwells amongst us. The Inquisition will root out this taint. When dicovered, the Inquisition will scold and punish it as a parent scolds and punishes a child, in order to show it the error of its ways. The Inquisition will show those who dwell in darkness the Light of Auros, it will bring the wayward son back to His righteous Father, and it will reconcile the Heretic with the Holy Church.
Such an institution is cause for celebration in the Kingdom of Hyperion, which bears the motto, "Lumen Solis Victrix." This blessed Kingdom deserves the watchful eye of this righteous institution.
