In the days before the plebs could read, those in power communicated their ideas in pictures. Here in the Duomo of Florence is such an example. Near the top are those who are in heaven. At the bottom are those in hell – if you look to the lower right you’ll see a couple of unlucky souls being sodomised by what appears to be some kind of burning shaft.

This must have a shocking effect on children or the uneducated. Being brought up to actually believe this would be terrifying.

I think it was Francis of Assisi ( I’ll have to check ) that said one of the pleasures of heaven was that you get to watch those in hell. Religion really brings out the best in humanity.