Spanish Inquisition

I have been learning a great deal about the Spanish Inquisition this semester. The interesting thing is that it was driven by religious zeal. What the inquisition was desperately wanting to do was save people's souls. And they were willing to do this anyway possible. They would attach "heretics" to stakes and then burn them. Their desire was for the heretic to recant and then there was a priest to absolve them of their sins. This way the heretics would be given a chance to make it to purgatory where they would eventually make it to heaven. Do you all think this works? Are we to try to do anything possible to get people to say the "sinner's prayer" so that their souls will be saved? I know I just asked some provocative questions ----- but I want to hear what you all think.