This basic pattern was complicated by a variety of local factors. Heresy, after all, is not a sex-linked crime. When misogynist manuals like the Malleus Maleficarum were influential, the number of women increased-often dramatically. Local folklore, culture, and history could all influence the gender dynamics of the trials. In summary, witch hunting is not woman hunting.
Gender is only one facet of a larger picture.
I believe that as long as we allow ourselves to be distracted by superficial generalizations, we will never dig deep enough to uncover the root of the problem. Bright Blessings, Jenny Gibbons Portland, OR Follow this link to read the original article by Jenny Gibbons Follow this link to read a letter in response to this article. Follow this link to read the article by Max Dashu of the Women's Suppressed History Archives in response to Gibbon's article. Follow this link to read a letter by Oberon Zell of the Church of All Worlds and a response by Jenny Gibbons.