Acting like inquisitors is not how we will end the Inquisition.

I was shocked by the outburst from journalist Miguel do Rosário. He has been attacked on his blog ever since he declared his support for Ciro Gomes' candidacy, arguing that Lula will not be released in time to run.

Discredited as a "sellout," "traitor," and other similar epithets by those who praised him while he supported Lula, he is now a victim of the same witch hunt, albeit on a smaller scale, that Lava Jato is carrying out against politicians, especially against PT politicians and even more specifically against former president Lula.

Without presenting evidence that he sold out (to whom? For how much? Where?) or how he betrayed (does having a different opinion from the majority mean betraying?), these PT members with the soul of inquisitors intend to prevent him from participating in the electoral debate, just as Operation Lava Jato is trying to prevent Lula from being elected on October 7th.

Both practices are authoritarian and anti-democratic and should be rejected with equal emphasis by the PT leadership. After all, what we all want is to strengthen Brazil's fragile democracy (isn't that why the PT won't give up on Lula?) and what characterizes democracy is the free expression and discussion of ideas, not the imposition of dogmas. From discussion comes light, which is what we all seek. To silence someone is to return to the darkness of the catacombs.

Miguel do Rosário may be deeply mistaken in supporting Ciro. Time will tell. It's not mandatory to agree with him. But it would be desirable for his opinions to be challenged civilly, with arguments, and not with insults, slander, and defamation by those who disagree with them.

We won't end the Inquisition by acting like inquisitors.