Jacques Gruet
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Jacques Gruet (died July 26, 1547) was a libertine and an atheist, who was put to death in Geneva during John Calvin's lifetime in the 16th century.
Gruet used to frequent taverns, and his behaviour was unacceptable by the religious standards of those days. He wrote blasphemous notes and defied social conventions.
Jacques Gruet argued for more personal freedom, and stated that all laws, both God's and Man's, were nothing but laws made by men for their very own pleasure.
Gruet left an anonymous placard threatening Calvin, and the authorities investigated. A search of Gruet's house produced notes he wrote that openly criticized the law, stating that only those that go against the state should be upheld, and also depicting Calvin as a hypocrite. He also mocked the scriptures, ridiculed Christ, and derided the immortality of the soul as a simple fairy tale.
He was arrested and beheaded on July 26, 1547.
