Why did religious Christians execute accused witches despite ‘thou shalt not kill’?

[Kassandra1994]

I have learn that church religous humans are the biggest hyprocrites and biggots only because someone had a diffrence in beliefs. I have been getting info in my towns local library about Mary Eastey. It was cruel and horrible how Mery Easty was treated it was so unfair what was done to her. Why in the past centuries chruch religous people did this horrible things to woman only because they were accused of church members without having the proper evidance?

[JennaWillow]

The commandment is better translated as "though shalt not murder", as in you can't kill someone unlawfully without good reason. Hence why killing someone in war or in self defense doesn't break the commandment, nor does sentencing them to death for a crime - and as such, a number of offences are deemed worthy of death in the Bible, such as murder itself, incest, bestiality, and sorcery among others (which is why accused witches would be killed). Obviously this was from a time when science wasn't understood, and basically every person had a much more metaphysical view of the world

It is up to God to forgive someone of their crimes and decide their afterlife or whether they sufficiently repented/redeemed themselves - that doesn't mean people can't or shouldn't also face mortal punishment if they commit a crime

[Kassandra1994]

Even if they practice witch carft the church leader had no rights to do such horrific you know what I mean.

[DirtyOldMan777]

the actual Commandment is "thou shall not Murder." not kill. when people are convicted of high crimes. killing them is just.

[Kassandra1994]

People are free to practice witch caeft if they want to!

[Paige2006]

Good question!