Ordeals

Ordeals are a traditional method used in some societies to determine guilt or innocence, often involving a challenging or dangerous test. The idea is that the outcome reflects divine judgment—if a person successfully endures the ordeal, they are presumed innocent; if they fail, they are considered guilty. Examples include tests like holding hot iron or carrying water over a long distance. This practice relies on the belief that a higher power will favor the innocent. While historically significant, ordeals are rarely used today, having been replaced by more modern legal systems.