Although, this time, I've done it to myself. The opportunity has arisen to finally put into words a book idea I've had percolating in the back of my mind for some time; I would be a fool not to pursue it. Doing so will naturally limit my time online, however, but I will at least attempt to get in some Gamespotting before the week is out.
In the meantime, here's a wee bit to chew on, a little tidbit of Calvinist history for those who like to point out that the Catholic Church has much blood on her hands:
Geneva at this period experienced a moral dictatorship such as has scarcely a parallel in history. It had begun at the time of Calvin's return in 1541, but it went on perfecting itself all the time. The police or 'guardians' watched everything, even the most intimate details of men's private lives. Anyone thinking evil thoughts or doing evil things was punished with brotherly ferocity.
There was prison for those who liked dancing . . . enjoyed drinking . . . cardplayers . . . Barbers were forbidden to tonsure priests passing through the city, and jewellers prevented from fashioning chalices. Both these offences were punishable by hanging. It was regarded as a confession of blasphemy and heresy to murmur 'rest in peace' over the grave of a dear departed . . . Two small children were beaten with rods for having eaten two rounds of cake on leaving Church, and another young ragamuffin was nearly beheaded because he returned a box on the ears given him by his mother . . .
It is common knowledge that dictatorships inevitably end by seeking to regulate every single thing.
(Henri Daniel-Rops,The Protestant Reformation, vol. II, translated by Audrey Butler, Garden City, New York: Doubleday Image, 1961,180,194-196)
Just for reference, no Inquisition was ever thisharsh or brutal