The spread of Catholicism to South America is a tale of struggle, conversion, and conquest. But what else?
Gold. Power. Money. Influence. These are what Cortez and his men were after. In 1519 Cortez and his mean easily conquered the Aztecs. A culture that had thrived for hundreds of years was quickly wiped out by European dominance. Further south, the ruler of the Incas was murdered. Pizarro, another conquering Spaniard, stole the gold from the Incan capital. The disease that the warring and gold seeking Europeans brought with them killed millions of natives.
Today when people think of Christianity, one thinks of missionaries going door to door, and "spreading the Good News." One doesn't think of priests converting a people that have been murdered and the richness of their culture plundered.
Unfortunately, the great religions of today didn't become large by sending meek missionaries to hand out free bibles on college campuses. They became great the same way that countries and empires become great and powerful. By conquest. By using military force to overcome any opponents of their ideology.
Today, the predominant religion of Central and South America is Catholicism. The Catholic Church is responsible for an untold amount of charity and generosity and giving hope to those that would otherwise die alone and in despair. The stories of the Saints are filled with teachings of hope and faith and love.
One can't help but to wonder what would have become of Central and South America if there had been no gold for the European Conquerors. Was the promise of material gain of the conquerors necessary for the spread of Christianity? Or was it just a happy coincidence?
It is no secret that the Catholic Church is one of the wealthiest and most influential organizations ever to exist. Does the spread of faith, hope, and love need to be paid for with plundered gold and murdered kings?
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