Inquisition
Definition
The Inquisition was a group of institutions within the Catholic Church tasked with identifying, suppressing and punishing heresy since the 12th century. It's most infamous phase was during Spanish Inquisition in late 15th century.
Analogy
Consider the Inquisition as a sort of 'quality control' team within a company that is responsible for finding out any employees who are not following company rules or policies (heretics) and then taking necessary action against them to maintain uniformity and discipline.
Related terms
Heresy: Any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs or customs, particularly in context of religion.
Spanish Inquisition: An institution established by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile aimed at maintaining Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, notorious for its methods including torture and executions.
Auto-da-fé: Public penance rituals carried out after an Inquisition trial where sentences were pronounced and executed.
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