Crusaders were sent to the Holy Land to fight the Infidel on the promise that if they died on the crusade they would go straight to Paradise, bypassing Purgatory. Sound familiar?
The Church controlled the universities and the educated used their authority to reinforce the doctrines and corrupt practices of the Church to protect their own vested interest. The Bible was printed in Latin and interpreted by the Priests in harmony with the decrees of the Bishop of Rome. Those who challenged the authority were given the choice of recantation or excommunication - or worse. I suggest some similarities to the fundamentalist mullahs of today.
There were, however, courageous men and women who gave the people the
Bible in their own language, who challenged the authority of the Church,
and encouraged people to interpret the Bible for themselves.
The Protestant Reformation and the accompanying Renaissance liberated Europe and broke the power of the Church in those lands that embraced the Reformation. And that gives us hope.
Taliban and IS hate education, unless of course the educated are those that back their cause. The last thing they want is for people to think for themselves, hence the attack on schools and women who want an education.
Some Moslems will always buy into the hate doctrine, and some people will always seek to use education for evil. But history tells us that education liberates. It took centuries to beat the Medieval Church, so we should not expect IS and their ilk to be defeated over night. But, with proper support, I believe we can encourage educated Moslems around the world to challenge the crazed, especially where they have begun to enjoy the freedom of the West and can make comparisons with life 'back home'.
The Protestant Reformation and the accompanying Renaissance liberated Europe and broke the power of the Church in those lands that embraced the Reformation. And that gives us hope.
Taliban and IS hate education, unless of course the educated are those that back their cause. The last thing they want is for people to think for themselves, hence the attack on schools and women who want an education.
Some Moslems will always buy into the hate doctrine, and some people will always seek to use education for evil. But history tells us that education liberates. It took centuries to beat the Medieval Church, so we should not expect IS and their ilk to be defeated over night. But, with proper support, I believe we can encourage educated Moslems around the world to challenge the crazed, especially where they have begun to enjoy the freedom of the West and can make comparisons with life 'back home'.
No comments:
Post a Comment