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In 2000, a team of 30 scholars from around the world came together to investigate the facts of the matter. In 2004 they made their report, an 800-page tome that was unveiled at a press conference in Rome. Its most startling conclusion is that the Inquisition was not as bad as most people had been led to believe. Torture was rare and only about 1 percent of those brought before the Spanish Inquisition were actually executed. Claims that over 300,000 to 50 million people had been unjustly executed for heresy were debunked as [[falsehood]]s.  

In 2000, a team of 30 scholars from around the world came together to investigate the facts of the matter. In 2004 they made their report, an 800-page tome that was unveiled at a press conference in Rome. Its most startling conclusion is that the Inquisition was not as bad as most people had been led to believe. Torture was rare and only about 1 percent of those brought before the Spanish Inquisition were actually executed. Claims that over 300,000 to 50 million people had been unjustly executed for heresy were debunked as [[falsehood]]s.  

Among the best recent books on the subject are by two non-Catholic professors of history. Edward Peters, from the University of Pennsylvania, is the author of ''Inquisition'' (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1989). Henry Kamen, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and professor at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, wrote ''The Spanish Inquisition: A Historical Revision'' (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1998). On page 87 of his book, Dr. Peters states:  

Among the best recent books on the subject are by two non-Catholic professors of history. Edward Peters, from the University of Pennsylvania, is the author of ''Inquisition'' (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1989). Henry Kamen, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, wrote ''The Spanish Inquisition: A Historical Revision'' (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1998). On page 87 of his book, Dr. Peters states:  

:“The best estimate is that around 3000 death sentences were carried out in Spain by Inquisitorial verdict between 1550 and 1800, a far smaller number than that in comparable secular courts.”  

:“The best estimate is that around 3000 death sentences were carried out in Spain by Inquisitorial verdict between 1550 and 1800, a far smaller number than that in comparable secular courts.”  

Likewise, Dr. Kamen states in his book:  

Likewise, Dr. Kamen states in his book: