In addition, the words of a heretic were believed to be a mortal threat to the eternal lives of those who might hear them. So heresy was the spiritual equivalen

In addition, the words of a heretic were believed to be a mortal threat to the eternal lives of those who might hear them. So heresy was the spiritual equivalent of randomly spraying bullets into a crowded place with a machine gun. The beliefs have not changed, but democratic society has moderated their effects.