HERETICS & HERESIES
This medieval Persian thinker was accused of unbelief by some opponents after claiming “I am the Truth” (Ana al-Haqq), a mystical utterance interpreted as identifying himself with God. He was ultimately executed in Baghdad in 922.
Who is al-Hallaj?
Beginning in 1209, this crusade targeted a Christian movement in southern France that the Catholic Church considered heretical.
Albigensian Crusade
This creator's 2019 video titled “Bye Sister” helped ignite a gigantic feud involving another influencer.
Who is Tati Westbrook?
How many years separated the launch of YouTube and the launch of Vine?
What is 8 years? (2005 → 2013)
Chinese authorities repeatedly condemned movements under this name as heterodox. Associated with Buddhist and folk-religious traditions, some of its branches became connected with rebellions against imperial rule.
What is the White Lotus?
Members of this wealthy medieval military order were arrested in 1307 and accused of heresy, idolatry, and devil worship.
Knights Templar
This was the opening line of which YouTuber's famous apology?
“I made a severe and continuous lapse in my judgment”
Logan Paul
How many years separated the last execution by guillotine in France and the release of the first Star Wars movie?
What is 0 years? Both happened in 1977.
This early Islamic theological school became famous for emphasizing reason and free will and for arguing that the Qur’an was created, rather than eternally coexisting with God.
What is Muʿtazilism?
This German farmer was executed in 1589 after confessing under torture that the Devil had given him a magical belt that allowed him to transform into a wolf.
Who was Peter Stumpp?
After appearing in Tiger King, this animal-rights activist became the subject of a huge online backlash and memes alleging that she killed her missing husband—an allegation she denied.
Who is Carole Baskin?
How many years separated the end of World War II and the first moon landing?
What is 24 years (1945 → 1969)?
This Indian teacher rejected Vedic authority and taught an exceptionally strict form of ahimsa, or nonviolence, becoming the central teacher of Jainism.
Who is Mahavira?
During the Affair of the Poisons, this woman was accused of performing Black Masses connected to Madame de Montespan, mistress of Louis XIV.
Who was Catherine Monvoisin / La Voisin?
After receiving enormous backlash for her involvement in a college-admissions bribery scandal, this influencer's family became associated with perhaps the least sympathetic defense imaginable: she had previously said she mostly wanted college for “game days” and “partying.”
Who is Olivia Jade?
How many years separated the Magna Carta from the beginning of the Black Death in Europe?
What is 132 years (1215 → 1347)?
According to this belief, Jesus only appeared to have a physical human body—meaning his suffering and crucifixion weren’t bodily experiences in the ordinary sense.
What is Docetism?
This 15th-century handbook by Heinrich Kramer became notorious for describing how to identify and prosecute witches.
What is the Malleus Maleficarum?
After a racial-slur controversy cost her a Food Network contract and numerous endorsements, this celebrity chef released multiple apology videos—and then appeared on Today in an emotional interview with Matt Lauer.
Who is Paula Deen?
How many years separated the fall of Constantinople from Columbus's first voyage?
What is 39 years (1453 → 1492)?
This medieval movement flourished in southern France and taught a radical dualism: the spiritual realm was good, while the material world was associated with an evil principle. The Catholic Church launched a crusade against its adherents.
What is Catharism?
In 1692, this elderly Livonian man admitted in court that he was a werewolf—but insisted that werewolves were actually the “hounds of God” who traveled to Hell to fight witches and the Devil.
Who was Thiess of Kaltenbrun?
In 1992, this singer tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live to protest abuse in the Catholic Church, producing enormous backlash and protests against her.
Who was Sinéad O'Connor?
How many years separated the Mayflower's arrival from the beginning of the Salem witch trials?
What is 72 years (1620 → 1692)?