Ep 11. Heresies and Their Suppression

In the eleventh episode of season one of "Thinking About Religion and Violence," titled "Heresies and Their Suppression," host Dr. Richard Ames explores the history of religious heresies and how they have been suppressed throughout the centuries. Ames begins by defining a heresy as a belief or practice that deviates from orthodox doctrine, and notes that heresies have been present in almost every religion throughout history.

Ames then dives into the Christian tradition, highlighting some of the most famous heresies and how they were suppressed. For example, he discusses the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ, and how its suppression paved the way for the Nicene Creed, which solidified the orthodox Christian belief in the trinity. Ames also touches on the Cathar heresy, which emerged in southern France in the 12th century and was brutally suppressed by the Catholic Church through the Albigensian Crusade.

Moving beyond Christianity, Ames examines how heresies have been dealt with in other religions. He discusses the history of Sunni and Shia Islam, which split over disagreements about who should succeed the prophet Muhammad as the leader of the faith. Ames notes that this division has been a source of ongoing conflict in the Islamic world, with some extremist groups like ISIS seeking to violently impose their particular interpretation of Islam on others.

Ames also discusses how heresies have been suppressed in non-religious contexts, such as political ideologies. He notes that the Soviet Union, for example, used brutal methods to suppress any dissent against its Communist ideology, often labeling dissidents as "heretics" and punishing them accordingly.

Throughout the episode, Ames raises important questions about the nature of heresy and what constitutes orthodox doctrine. He notes that religious beliefs are often complex and subject to interpretation, and that the line between heresy and orthodoxy can be fluid and subjective. Moreover, he emphasizes that the suppression of heresy is often accompanied by violence and coercion, raising important ethical questions about how we should deal with religious disagreements.

Overall, "Heresies and Their Suppression" is a thoughtful and engaging exploration of a topic that is both fascinating and essential to understanding the role of religion in our world today. Ames provides a nuanced and balanced perspective on the history of heresies and how different religions and ideologies have dealt with them over time, leaving viewers with much to ponder and reflect on.