The Burning Times

This documentary takes an in-depth look at the witch hunts that swept Europe just a few hundred years ago. False accusations and trials led to massive torture and burnings at the stake and ultimately to the destruction of an organic way of life. The film questions whether the widespread violence against women and the neglect of our environment today can be traced back to those times. Part two of a series of three films on women and spirituality, which includes Goddess Remembered and Full Circle.

Grade 9 - 12

Ethics and Religious Culture / Religious Diversity/Heritage

Civics/Citizenship / Human Rights

History / World History

Teaching Guides

Guide 1

Educational purpose:

How were women’s roles different before the events in the film? Why does Christianity have such a negative effect on the freedom of women? How is feminism related to environmental awareness? Provide examples of cases throughout history where a group of people was persecuted and victimized (Holocaust, slavery, residential schools, etc). Compare and contrast these examples with the film.


 

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Comments

  • MOSAherne

    MOSAherne

      “Interesting. A pleasant looking woman -Barbara Harris-who spoke meaningfully on this subject-which hopefully doesn't make me sound 'leery'. I just fell under her spell. This is a good informative documentary. If Hollywood 'gets wind of it'-they quite possibly would entitle it " Hot Girls!-the truth hurts" OK-please forgive my two indiscretions. I know more about the subject than I did before;and have even more respect-for women. qv-my piece on Canadian Car women during WW2. Maurice (not a morris) Aherne”

    4 Dec 2011
  • uh8myzen

    uh8myzen

      “So much of our "civilization" is built on a foundation of cruelty and wrongful persecution especially, it seems, by those institutions who have set themselves up as moral or ethical authorities. Documentaries such as this serve to remind us all how we got where we are today, to awknowledge those who have suffered under the yoke of prejudice, and hopefully act as a catalyst to right our ancestor's wrongs. Great film!”

    13 Sep 2011
  • Esobella

    Esobella

      “Great Video as was the first Goddess Remembered! Would really like to view Full Circle. I agree that it should be shown in churches everywhere.”

    30 May 2011
  • newfire@mts.net

    newfire@mts.net

      “This is a documentary which should be shown in churches everywhere. This Holocaust perpetuated by the church(es) deserves to be acknowledged. In 2010, the Lutheran World Federation apologized for the involvement and complicity in the persecution of Anabaptists (i.e. Mennonites in the middle and late medieval periods. I wonder if all the churches might one day apologize for all women who were tortured and condemned as witches. I suppose there is as much chance of that as there is for the Church of Rome to apologize for the Inquisition.”

    20 Feb 2011
  • ams599

    ams599

      “A lot of the information given in this movie is very inaccurate. ”

    2 Nov 2010
  • CullenTOONS

    CullenTOONS

      “I was not aware of this informative Movie nor book. Thank you so much for sharing! It is another sad example of man's inhumanity to man and especially women. Our species make poor choices that are horribly blackened with our religious beliefs and our quest for the truth and our ideas about who "GOD" is.”

    10 Oct 2010
  • Beepath

    Beepath

      “I had a copy of "The Burning Times," loaned it out and it wasn't returned. That's fine, I hope it goes everywhere and seen by many. That was 20 long years ago and this film was information I desperately needed. Now, I can share it on Facebook with so many friends ready for this information. Thank you so much Donna Read and young Jason who posted it. ”

    29 Jul 2010
    2 people like this |

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