Ava's claim was that it was just the church patriarchy oppressing "independent" and *pagan* women.

The historical data doesn't match that.

- Most of the accused were practicing Christians, themselves.

- Most of the accusers were other women.

- In some countries, the majority prosecuted were men, not women.

- Many of the prosecutions where in front of civil courts, not church courts.

- Church courts excused most of the cases and the civil courts did not.

- The church has the "way out" of simply declaring the person possessed, performing an exorcism, and sending them home. The accused does not have to admit guilt, in order to go home, unlike in civil courts.