Week of September 30: Religion if such a frightful concept

 I am a Christian and I have believed in the Christian God all my life, however, as I watch the people around me use this religion to hurt others I start to question these beliefs. I remember being taught what Christianity was when I was little. We learned that our God was kind and forgiving, that he loved all no matter their background, race, status, or even sins. However, as I watch the world around me where people curse, scorn and even use violence on those with different beliefs, and read the history books about the massacre and annihilation of cultures that were not Christian I begin to wonder what my religion actually is. It seems as though people are just using religion as a way to justify their otherwise cruel and horrible actions. In Cortes’s letter to the king, he constantly claims that his actions were in the name of God as he claims the natives land for the king and destroys their idols without regard for them. “The most important of these idols, and the ones in whom they had the most faith, I had taken from their place and thrown down the steps…” Wrote Cortes in his second letter. He then wrote that he was asked not to do such a thing because the people believe that their gods gave them worldly goods and if you mistreated them they would become angry and would take away the fruit of the land leaving the native to starve. However, Cortes brushed it off saying that their gods did not exist. This act of disrespect of their culture is something that should have been seen as rude, insensible and even cruel but because it was in the name of God it is automatically right and good? I am not trying to say Christianity is the only religion that does this. There have been many holy wars started in the name of some religion with Ulterior motives. Though sadly Christianity does have a lot of that history.

Comments

  1. Amanda WilsonSeptember 30, 2021 at 12:55 PM

    Victoria, I am the same way! I am a Christian also, and it pains me to read how malicious acts were done upon other people, and then it was stated, "But it was God's will that this happened." It seemed that the justification of saying it was God's will seemed to be a good enough reason for the audience, whether that be the royal court or simply the general audience. It also goes to show how culture differs between then and now. In today's culture, it is way less likely that anyone would get away with a crime simply because "it was God's will" as it was during the colonization of Mesoamerica.

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  2. Médar SerrataOctober 5, 2021 at 6:06 AM

    Thank you, Lexie, for your post. You have given us an excellent demonstration of what a true critical thinker should be. Yes, many crimes have been committed in the name of religion, and the passage from Cortés’ letter that you quote is a great example. Fortunately, some religious people have denounced those crimes loudly and courageously, at risk of being expelled from their own community. I invite you to do some research on Bartholomew de las Casas. It will make you feel better.

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  3. Médar SerrataOctober 5, 2021 at 5:05 PM

    I'm sorry. I meant to say Victoria. And now I cannot find how to erase my comment!

    ReplyDelete

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