The Rocky Road of Religion

    If I had to describe this semester in one word, I think it would be heavy. Not necessarily a heavy workload but definitely a heavy mental load. 3 of the 4 classes I’m taking - including this one - have begun with an overview of colonization and its effects on global power, indigenous peoples, and religion. Whether from the lens of the culture of Latin America, Native American history and spirituality, or the worldwide phenomenon of witch hunts, one thing seems to be lurking around the corner from each: Christianity. The reason why I feel so bogged down is probably because for one of the first times in my life, I’m learning critically about my own religion, my own origin, my own bias, and my own advantages.

    Most of these classes have started similarly: we discuss the arrival of Christopher Columbus, the conquering of great South American nations such as the Aztecs and Incas, and the great frenzy that ensued soon after to conquer and control any land or peoples within sight. I’ve heard this story before, and it made no particular impression on me beyond understanding it as a fact of history. But now, I’ve been introduced to the history behind that history as well as the mindset of the conquerors, colonists, inquisitors, and witch hunters, and it pretty much boils down to their religious tradition and beliefs as Christians, whatever variation this took in the particular cases. 

    Spain had finally completed its 700 year Reconquista of European land from the Islamic Moors just before Columbus sailed, and they believed it was their destiny determined by God to continue this conquest in other lands. They and other Christian European countries - France, England, and Portugal mainly -  then agreed upon the Doctrine of Discovery in which they stated that, granted by God because they were His chosen, they had the right to the ownership and control of any land or peoples elsewhere on the globe which they themselves discovered; and so began the 16th-17th century European overtaking of North and South America. Through this agreed upon doctrine, the conquering nation had total power over the people to enforce new laws, taxation, labor, and religion with the additional power to deal with those who refused or rebelled as they saw fit. Again, all this because they believed God intended for them to assert themselves and dominate the world. The slaughter and erasure of millions of indigenous peoples later, such rulers continue to be celebrated across our country and world. 

     Moving into the atrocities of the Inquisition and European and American witch hunts, there seems to be a similar story. A challenge against the power of the government was a challenge against the Church, and, as we have seen, people were severely punished for it. Through the power vested in the religious officials, deviants in society were branded heretics, witches, and devil worshippers, and obviously the only solution was to rid the scum from the Earth. 

    As a Catholic Christian myself, I hope you can see how difficult it was for me to learn about these things, not because I feel bad for the way these power hungry tyrants are being portrayed in critical history, but because of how sad it makes me to think anyone ever had such a jaded idea of the faith. These values and ideals have lead to a majority of the social issues that have persisted into today’s world - racism, ethnocentrism, cultural extinction, etc. - and it’s hard to swallow that my religion was twisted to be the rationalized proponent. It honestly shocks and baffles me that anyone has ever thought they and their desires were more valuable than another person, but look where we are today. I won’t lie: I have been shaken by these realizations, but I’ve concluded that I need to implement my learning rather than take it as a personal blow. Though it is burdensome, I’m glad to learn about these critiques so that I may understand better how to be an ethical global citizen (thanks TCU) and handle further learning and personal interactions with empathy and grace.