Inquisition

From Srafopedia

A real and historical fanatical branch of the Roman Catholic Church, originally established in Spain, during the Middle ages. The Inquisition was charged to find, capture, and torture suspected heretics. It continues to exist in the real world under the ephamistic name of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

During the middle ages, the Inquisition's methods were grusome and unforgiving; now they are restricted by national laws. If you were captured there was no chance of release. If you claimed you were not heretical you were accused of lying and were killed; and if you admitted to being heretical you were burned at the stake.

In the Dark Materials trilogy, the Inquisition is instigated by Metatron, the ruler of heaven. Metatron thinks that humans are getting too independent – being conscious – and directly intervenes to make heaven's oppression absolute, by setting up a permanent Inquisition.