Indeed. The Inquisition was actually innovative in the sense that it made courts more fair. You have to view these things in historical context. The events that

Indeed. The Inquisition was actually innovative in the sense that it made courts more fair. You have to view these things in historical context. The events that motivated the Spanish Inquisition were, of course, a complicated political matter, too, but people don't like complicated things when all they want is an indictment and heads to roll. Such is bigotry. In general, these sorts of myths were often the product of anti-Catholic propaganda produced long after the events in question happened. Both Protestants and Enlightenment figures had a vested interest in spreading vicious lies about the Church and they did so gladly.