The Spanish Inquisition

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Recommended: The relationship between religion & politics

Political power acts as a foundation for society through persuasion. This influential ability controls the thoughts and actions of society as a whole, and who is in control heavily determines how successful their influences will be. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were the political rulers of Spain during the late 15th century, and remained in control up until the early 16th century. They craved unity for their country, and would do anything they could to achieve their desired conformity. Spain was to be united under one flag, one form of ruler, and one religion; those who did not oblige, became targets. For more than three hundred years, the Spanish Inquisition hovered over Spain, inciting fear and inflicting brutality upon those accused of heresy. A heretic was viewed as a contagious, rotted soul, lacking spiritual integrity. Their unholy actions spread like a disease; infecting anyone else in its path. Jews, Muslims, and Protestants, specifically Lutherans, each had their turn being victimized by the Spanish Inquisition. That being said, the King and Queen devote majority of the Inquisition’s years and efforts towards abolishing those of the Jewish and Islamic faiths. The goal was to rid Spain of these trivial beings, and society was influenced to believe that this would help political leaders achieve unity within the country. The Spanish Inquisition was purely driven by political desires, using religion as it’s gateway towards a unified country of power and prosperity.
Before the Spanish Inquisition was established, Spain was occupied by a dominant Christian society, but certain areas also consisted of Jewish and Muslim societies. The lack of religious agreement upon the country sparked anti-Semitic attitudes, and...

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...78-1834. WebChron, 5 May 1997. Web. 26 Oct. 2013. .
Majid, Omar. "The Facts behind the Spanish Inqusition." Pre 1600. Humanities 360, 2 July 2007. Web. 24 Oct. 2013. .
"Mark 12:31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."." Mark 12:31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.". Bible Hub, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. .
Nardo, Don . The Inquisition . The United States of America: Lucent Books, 2008. Print.
X, Mike. "Plain Truth." Political Power. Blog Spot, 20 Jan. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. .

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