John Calvin did not take nor did he have anything to do with the execution of Michael/Miguel Servetus , who used a pseudonym in his writings, that of Michel de Villeneuve (i.e., "
Michael of Villanueva", a Spaniard. In fact at great personal risk of his own life, John Calvin tried to save Servetus' soul.
None of this will impact those dedicated to hating what they know nothing about. Calvin and Calvinism. That is why this debate has extended across the centuries since the late 1500's.
Blasphemy during Michael Servetus' time, and something he flagrantly exampled, was a capital offense!
Funnily enough, John Calvin put MS on "ignore", in his own way. I thought that was kind of cute given we're discussing this in a forum where that option is available. This is in the video if you watch it.
I wonder if anti-Calvinists, who insist in exampling the sin of false witness when insisting certain Christians are Calvinists regardless of their denial, are combusting inside? Knowing there is
John Calvin Colleges and University in Europe?
".....Geneva’s attitude to heretics and blasphemers had always been severe before ever Calvin had any authority whatsoever in the city. Indeed, the party responsible for banishing Calvin from Geneva in 1538 did not hesitate to torture and behead those who left the paths of their church. According to the city records, however, there seems to have been no set punishments for particular ‘crimes’ as one blasphemer was only given a jail sentence on 4 th June, 1539 and people caught dancing on the Sabbath were merely let off with a warning on 20 February, 1539.2
Furthermore, there was not a country or state in Europe at the time in which the denial of the Trinity and blasphemy were not capital crimes. German Lutheran Melanchthon, for instance, otherwise noted for his tolerance, urged the Swiss not to show any leniency whatsoever regarding Servetus who must be put to death.
The English Reformers and martyrs condemned Servetus’ errors, going into great detail in analysing and refuting them. Severe laws, it must be remembered, against blasphemy were enforced in the English-speaking world until modern times. However, the major blame given to Calvin as an individual for the burning of Servetus has no historical backing whatsoever. The facts prove that Calvin had neither the power, nor the opportunity, nor the desire to burn Servetus. The Geneva magistrates had initially asked Calvin to give his opinion of Servetus because they were under great pressure from Bern and Basel to undertake action against the blasphemer. Calvin replied mildly that he had little hope of bringing Servetus to his senses and that he needed to learn humility. This was hardly a view which could force a court to condemn anyone to death. "
The Burning of Michael Servetus (1511-1553)
Servetus used to bring discredit to the Reformation