Though the European countries agree in general that sorcery in all its forms is heresy and an aberration from Christian teachings, they handle the actual witch trials very differently.
In the Scandinavian and Northern European countries, the Protestant faith predominates, and the principle that only God may redeem and forgive leads to death sentences for most condemned witches.
Further south, scepticism against the idea of witches is on the rise in the late 16th century. Furthermore, penitence and absolution is regarded as a way to readmit the accused into the congregation. Consequently, people accused of witchcraft are rarely condemned to death. Instead, they are fined or sentenced to receive the host, to prison or to flogging.
Legal procedures differ widely too. In Catholic countries, religious tribunals generally deal with such trials, and inquisitions control the entire process including the accusation. Interrogation and torture are widely used, and confessions are regarded as incontrovertible proof of sorcerous acts.
The Protestant Church in Northern Europe is much less powerful, and the trials here are carried out independently of the Church. Torture and confessions are not sufficient here – the accuser must provide evidence and witnesses to testify against the alleged witch.