Adam Tanner (Jesuit theologian) facts for kids
Adam Tanner (born April 14, 1572 – died May 25, 1632) was an important Austrian scholar. He was a member of the Jesuit order. Jesuits are a group of Catholic priests and brothers. Tanner was known for his work in theology, which is the study of religious beliefs.
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Who Was Adam Tanner?
Adam Tanner was born in Innsbruck, Austria, in 1572. When he was 17, in 1589, he joined the Society of Jesus. This is a religious group within the Catholic Church. He soon became a teacher.
By 1603, Adam Tanner was invited to teach at the Jesuit College of Ingolstadt. He became a professor of theology at the University of Ingolstadt. Theology is the study of religious faith and practice. Fifteen years later, the Emperor Matthias gave him a position at the University of Vienna.
Fighting Against Injustice
Adam Tanner was well-known for defending the Catholic Church. He wrote about its practices against other Christian groups, like the Lutheran reformers. His most important book was Universa theologia scholastica, published in 1626–1627.
Tanner was also famous for speaking out against the terrible witch hunts. During his time in Bavaria, he saw many debates about these trials. Some people were starting to question them.
Why He Opposed Witch Hunts
Adam Tanner included many arguments from skeptics in his big book. He pointed out that using torture made it certain that innocent people would die. He also argued that just a few accusations were not enough to allow torture. He believed torture should not be repeated.
These strong arguments later influenced another Jesuit, Friedrich Spee. Spee also became a strong opponent of the witch hunts.
His Lasting Impact
The crater Tannerus on the Moon is named after him. This shows his lasting impact on science and knowledge.
