Is this media and politics? It may not seem like it but it would have made quite a difference to the Jewish folk of yesteryear... especially politically. Had the Pope of the 11th century had made such a claim, even the Pope of the early 20th century had been like minded, the Jews of Europe would have had a radically different political scheme.
It is always tricky to base political concepts in religious ideas, yet this seems to be a striking example of the connection between politics and religion. One can imagine that if the Jews had not been blamed for the death of the Catholic Church's God, things may have been easier. If Jews were not viewed as the easy scapegoat, the necessarily punishable or the existential enemy, European Jewish history could have had a radically different story to tell.
Perhaps more to follow on this.
wasnt there another pope in the 1960's that already exonerated the jews?
ReplyDeleteI agree fresh fo def that religion plays a huge role in politics. Look at the Middle East since the rise of Islam- the various Islamic Empires which ruled the region all achieved their legitimacy as rulers by first legitimizing themselves under the rubric of Islam. To dominate the people of the region you needed religious legitimacy.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, one of the reasons for the lack of innovations in math, science and medicine in Europe during the dark ages was that the church was stopping advancements by saying they were heretical. That had a huge impact on millions of people who for years lived in squalor in backwards European cities.
So I agree that in many instances it’s important to take religion into account when you look at political concepts.
Yes, there was an early pope that exonerated the Jews. It happened at what is called Vatican II, it had a slightly different approach and tone.
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