Roman Catholicism in Spain

Roman Catholicism in Spain

Variableness of outward practice of ChristianityThe like as to that of MahometanismRoman Catholicism most subject to that modificationExcesses of Roman Catholicism in Spain accounted for by Spanish historyThe Goths and Moors of AfricaTheir conversion to ChristianityThe aborigines of AmericaTraditional coincidences with scriptural truthNational character of the religion of SpaniardsReligion of the affectionsSanta TeresaAmatory propensities in connection with religionKnight-errantryMotto of Spanish nobilityThe four primitive ordersLoyolaReligion the pretext for wars of SpainThree distinct features of the national character of Spaniards, illustrated by Isabella the Catholic, Charles V., and Philip II. Christianity, although of divine origin, and, consequently, like all that participates in the essence of Divinity, immutable in its doctrines and creeds, submits itself nevertheless, in outward practice, to the incidents common to all human institutions, and receives an impression from the particular character of the people who observe its rites, and subject their conduct to its precepts. p. 8Every religious idea lays hold on the heart and understanding: consequently the state of the affections and the intellectual bias of each nation must communicate to the worship it professes a particular influence, which is seen, not only in the way in which ceremonies are practised, or in the organization of the hierarchy, or in the style and language which man uses in addressing the Deity, but in the entire system of actions, relations, and thoughts, which constitutes what is called worship. Worship participates in the impulse which a nation has received at its origin,from its historical antecedents,from its political system,and from the peculiarities which predominate in the formation of its intelligence. The Greek polytheism did not distinguish itself from the Roman either in its theogony or its rites; but there is no doubt that the former was more poetical, more artistic, and more scrupulous than the latter. The Romans, being brought into close contact with all the nations of the earth, and having become subjugated by the insolent despotism of the Csars, opened the doors of their Pantheon, not only to the Goths of Egypt and of Gaul, but to monsters of cruelty, and to men sunk in every class of those vices which had stained the throne of Augustus. The Greeks, lovers of science, had placed their city of Athens under the protection of Minerva; but Rome was too proud to humble herself by playing the inferior part of the protected. In order to provide for her own security, she declared herself a goddess, and erected her own temples and altars. The Roman priests were warriors p. 9and magistrates; those of Athens were philosophers and poets. The same observations apply to Mahometanism. In India it has always shown itself more contemplative, more tolerant, than in Arabia, Turkey, or on the northern coast of Africa, and when it propagated itself in the southern regions of Europe, its stern inflexibility was not able to resist even the influence of clime; the perfumed breezes of the Betis and the Xenil despoiled it, in part, of the austere physiognomy which had been impressed on its whole structure by the sands of Arabia. Even the severe laws of the harem were relaxed in the courts of Boabdil and of Almanzor, for the wives of those two monarchs, openly, and without shame, took part in the pompous ftes of the Alhambra and of the serrania of Cordova. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 29025
Author: Anonymous
Release Date: Jun 3, 2009
Format: eBook
Language: English