Few people remember the Crusades or the Inquisitions. What I can assure you though is that the Muslims remember them all too well. Laying aside the Crusades though, I want to reflect on the inquisition concept and hopefully help us avoid modern day inquisitions or the new inquisition that’s been repackaged under labels such as “fundamentalism” or “orthodoxy”. Let me remind you of yesterday’s commentary: no one has ALL the truth, so let’s be a bit more tolerant and forgiving for those that may not carry the same doctrinal beliefs that we do.
It doesn’t matter to me if a person believes in the rapture or not, a virgin birth or not, or that Jesus was fully human and fully divine at the same time. In fact, I enjoy the company of those who have different views than mine- and especially those who share their divergent views in love and don’t demand that I accept their views at the expense of mine.
I am not threatened by Muslims who believe in Allah!
I am not worried about Hindus seeking nirvana!
I am not concerned about Buddhists who want to give up all sensory connections with the world.
Unfortunately, my greatest problem is with Christians who want to destroy me because I don’t share EXACTLY the same beliefs that they do (as though they had ALL the answers). As David said in Psalms 55: “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him, but it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance in whom we took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.”
The enemies at my door step are those that once called me brother and friend.
I was such because they assumed I had the same doctrines as they did. Little did I know that doctrine was the glue that held us and not love. At least I won’t suffer the consequences of Cinfa Cacavi! Our modern day inquisitors only use the words of their mouth to kill, slander, and destroy.
In the archive of Zaragoza, Spain is the story of Cinfa Cacavi: a housewife and mother, like so many thousands of victims of the Inquisitions, is just a footnote in history. In 1481 she was accused of having a secret Jewish wedding (blasphemy to the Catholic church) and so her husband was burned at the stake. Her daughter was forcably baptized (what good did that do?). And then two years later, Cinfa herself was burned at the stake.
In the name of God and purity of doctrine of course!
Will we ever learn? Jesus loved everyone- even those who disagreed with His doctrine or lifestyle of not washing His hands before He ate. The Inquisitions were about “thought control“. Anytime one person, one denomination, or one religion deems that they have the TRUTH it’s not good. But when they try and force their “thoughts” (religious views) on others it’s worse. It’s worst of all though, when they intend to do HARM to those who do not share their views (either by words or actions).
Have we learned nothing from the Inquisitions?
When will we be lovers (in deed and word) and not religious inquisitors?
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