Poena Omnipotenta

Friedrich Spee was a Jesuit in 17th Century Germany, and a Professor of Moral Theology. When he criticized his superiors for their luxurious lifestyle, he lost his post and was reassigned to take confessions from women who had been accused of witchcraft. Nearlly all of these women died after an extended period of torture. This experience led Spee to write an anonymous tract which many people believe is the first logical investigation into the effectiveness of torture. He concluded that torture was sinful because it encouraged people to bear false witness.