> the religious justification (as enunciated by Jesus) for the Inquisition?

Plenty - but none of it very sensible and none of it enunciated by Jesus.

Of course greed and ambition (called "politics" nowadays) play a role in these things. But let's not overlook the desire to be "holier than thou" and the sad fact that some people get their kicks by making other people suffer.

One out of every 25 or 30 Americans is supposedly a conscienceless psychopath. Most of them abstain from serious crime because they don't want the hassle of going on the lam.

The proportion on other countries ranges from slightly higher to considerably lower. But everywhere are manipulative, unscrupulous individuals who will do just about anything to get their way.

If they want to get to heaven, for example, and believe, like Inquisitors and "holy warriors," that being ultra-zealous will do the trick, they'll stop at nothing.

Of course, some psychos just get a thrill out of destroying, and if a respected authority says it's cool, they'll be there.