Christianity as a Power Not Religion in the Spanish Inquisition
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The forceful conversion of non-Christians in Spain during the Spanish Inquisition, brings out the ways in which religion can serve as a cover-up for ulterior motives. Spain used Christianity to consolidate power and create a social hierarchy between Old and New Christians. People of non-Christian origins were considered inferior even if they had converted to Christianity. Spain through Christianity, was able to justify taking away rights, erasure of traditions, and prohibiting language. #Muslim #Christian #Moorish #Monarchy
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2023-08-06T16:52:48-07:00
Spain has been one of the most diverse nations, thanks to its accessibility from other regions. Nevertheless, such diversity has been the root of conflict for many centuries. From being a part of the Roman Empire, being under Muslim rule, and being under dynasties such as the Bourbon and Habsburg dynasties, etc. The history of Spain is very unique but, here we will be focusing on the period around the 15th century.
During the Spanish Inquisition, religion and culture played a bigger role than a difference of “race” in Spain. The concept of race, at least as we know it today, did not yet exist. Even though one could argue that to an extent culture and race coincide, the main focus was gaining power via religion. To unify the Spanish Kingdom, King Ferdinand II married the Catholic Isabella II in 1469. As other European counterparts negatively viewed Spain's hybrid and diverse society, they sought ways to become a dominant force. This union served to consolidate the monarchy's power in Spain and most importantly stabilize Christianity that would allow for respect abroad. In the name of Christianity, all of the terrible actions against non-Christians would be justified.
The illustration of Moses defeating the Muslim army has many implications for how the Spanish viewed Moriscos (moors). These people were referred to as the New Christians because they were originally Muslim and of Arab roots. The image represents how Christians could be able to reason with the unfair treatment of Muslims. When seeing such an illustration in the Bible, one can interpret it as needing to defeat or take over Muslims. It also further helps convey the message that Muslims are enemies and should therefore be treated as such. In the image, we know that there are two different groups of people because the Muslims in the illustration have dark skin and the men helping Moses have white skin. This difference in skin color creates a bigger gap between Christians and Muslims, of which Muslims are considered the other and don't belong.
In 1566, there was an establishment of rules that Moors had to follow in order to exist in Spanish society. Most of the rules seem absurd, as some of the rules were lists of clothing that they were prohibited to wear. They had to abandon all of their customs to fit into the standard of the time. However, besides all of this, they were still not treated equally. Not only the monarchy but the people also used prejudice against the Moors for their benefit while claiming that it was for the sake of Christianity.
Archbishop Juan Martinez Silíceo, argued in favor of the Limpieza de Sangre (Purification of Blood) statues to feel that he finally moved up the social ladder. These statues were created to prevent New Christians from obtaining decent positions and moving up the social ladder. Old Christians that would have normally been seen as being of the lower class now were above the Moorish Christians. Being in the lower part of the social hierarchy made Old Christians adopt these kinds of ideas easier because they were now seen as being better than other groups. So, even though Moors were forced to fully comply and adopt Christian customs, they would never be equal to the Old Christians. Their lineage of Muslim "blood" would never allow them to truly be Christians, according to the Spanish. Furthermore, due to these statues, people became fixated on the idea of having pure blood and claiming Old Christian blood. People rejected any kind of Moorish history they may have had in an attempt to gain or maintain status.
Thus, the expulsion and treatment of Moors in Spain had to do with matters of political and social power. Religion was used as a tool to create a divide and separate Old Christians from New Christians. In which Old Christians were considered superior and New Christians were ultimately seen as invalid Christians. It was less about spreading the same ideals and more about proving authority and superiority.
