I don't know what His Majesty thought. Another possibility was that they would be the Fifth column for the Caliphate, which basically treated them much better. I understand the marranos' dilemma, but that is beside the point. The issue is that what Spain did in 17c. with the Church's blessing should not be a reason to shred the New Testament publicly today, in a country that is supposed to be a beacon of civilization down there in the sands.
it's indeed a rare thing when a Catholic FReeper defends the right of Fundamentalist Protestants
Why should it be rare? First, I would condemn just the same any form of vandalism, including that against the Koran or the Talmud, or the Afghanistan Buddhas or what have you. Second, we and the Evangelicals are both Christians; while a Catholic missionary would not perhaps use the same methods, on this score at least, conversion of the Jews (and of the Arabs, and of the Noahides, and of the Buddhists), our goals are the same. In fact, the idea that a religion should not proselytize is a testimony to its internalized, although never admitted, falsehood. Maybe that is the real reason why you haven't met throngs of fellow Noahides yet.
Israel survives because of G-d, not because of man.
Israel, to a Catholic, is the One Holy Apostolic Catholic Church, and she survives just fine, for that precise reason, thank you. M'dinat Israel survives because of American assistance, and is chiefly due to the Evangelical Christian support (the Vatican, wisely, calls for a two-state solution, as was the original UN plan, so you can count Catholics as another reason M'dinat Israel exists).
it's indeed a rare thing when a Catholic FReeper defends the right of Fundamentalist Protestants
Why should it be rare?
That is something you will have to explain to me. I've often wondered why the Catholic Church (in America at least) seemed to be waging a bigger war against "Biblical literalism" than against abortion.
In fact, the idea that a religion should not proselytize is a testimony to its internalized, although never admitted, falsehood. Maybe that is the real reason why you haven't met throngs of fellow Noahides yet.
That's downright hilarious, seeing as how the Catholic Church not only doesn't proselyitize but actually condemns proselytary religion as "bigotry." My own journey to the Catholic Church was initiated by myself because, unlike every other church and denomination, the Catholic Church doesn't engage in proselytary activity. It is for all practical purposes an ethnic religion for Irish, Italians, Hispanics, etc. The Baptists, the CoC, the mormons, the J Witnesses, the Pentecostals, and every Protestant denomination you can think of will give you a tract or knock on your door, but the Catholic Church is too sophisticated and too ethnic to ever do such a thing. If the Catholic Church proselytizes, why was I never able to get a priest to speak to my mother about joining me in it?
Besides, according to some FReepers, Catholicism is too intellectual for the morons who live in rural America. Obviously a religion for sophisticates and intellectuals isn't going to advertise itself. One will have to ask to join, like a Masonic lodge.
The other ancient churches are even worse than Roman Catholicism with regard to proselyitism. The Copts, Armenians, Assyrians, Ethiopians, etc., however missionary their origins, keep going only via sexual reproduction. Outside the world of American Fundamentalism the words "chrstian proselytism" are an oxymoron.
Israel, to a Catholic, is the One Holy Apostolic Catholic Church
Thank you for reminding me of another reason I left (though your statement almost makes me physically ill). I don't suppose you've seen this thread?