During twelve years of education in Catholic schools, I never heard one Bishop, priest or Nun deny the nature of the inquisition. They often used it as a teaching tool. Has history changed so much in the last 30 years?
In the history of the major western religions, there have been periods of time when men under the influence of religious zealotry have committed unspeakable acts. These mis-quided zealots did not represent the true nature nor the future of their religion.
We most definatley disagree. That doesn't mean I will not respond to your assertions and let them stand unchallenged for others who may read this thread.
“During twelve years of education in Catholic schools, I never heard one Bishop, priest or Nun deny the nature of the inquisition. They often used it as a teaching tool. Has history changed so much in the last 30 years?”
From these words, suffer me to offer my observations:
1. You are, or once were, a practicing Catholic;
2. 30 years reverts to 1977, but I am uncertain as to whether this marked the beginning or the ending of your Catholic education.
If the former, then you were quite set in the middle of the “modernist” thinking with which revisionist liberals infected the Church.
If the later, then too, being 1965, you would still be post-Vatican II, and under the influence of notorious theologians: Hans Küng, Karl Rahner, John Courtney Murray, Yves Congar, Henri de Lubac, Edward Schillebeeckx and Gregory Baum—all of whom, prior to Vatican II, were under suspicion by the Holy See for promulgating heretical writings. Post Vatican II, their theological novelties became prescribed in the name of the Council. Following them were the unfortunate liberal cadre of rebellious priests, feminist nuns and incompetent bishops, all of whom were eager to push a revisionist agenda upon the Church—and most especially within the “American” Catholic Church.
“In the history of the major western religions, there have been periods of time when men under the influence of religious zealotry have committed unspeakable acts. These mis-quided zealots did not represent the true nature nor the future of their religion.”
Agreed, but not to the extent that you have been led to believe in the matter of the Spanish Inquisition. Moreover, the “future” of the Catholic religion is as it always was from the time Christ instituted His One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church, constant in its Faith, morals, and dogma—that is why it has persevered for 2000 years, despite those who have sought to destroy it, even from within.
As I do not desire to go off-topic ad nauseum, I will offer three solid tomes for your erudition, all three of which were authored by historians of unimpeachable character and scholarship:
Characters of the Inquisition, by William Thomas Walsh
Isabella of Spain: The Last Crusader, by William Thomas Walsh
Religious Liberty, by Michael Davies
Of course, there is Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953)—likely the most famous and influential Catholic historian of the past two centuries. His rare understanding of the central role of the Catholic Faith in forming Western Civilization—from the time of Christ up to our own—still opens the eyes of many today.
I have only a few of Mr. Belloc’s writings, but during the period of 50 years, before suffering a stroke in 1946, he wrote over a hundred books on history, economics, military science and travel, plus novels and poetry. He also wrote hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles. He served for a time as a member of the English House of Commons and edited a paper called the Eye-Witness. He visited the US several times, giving guest lectures at both Notre Dame and Fordham Universities. As you can see, I hold him in great esteem.
I hope this will provide you—and “others who may read this thread”—with perfect understanding