ohio jones wrote: ↑Fri Nov 11, 2022 3:45 pm
Ivan IV’s expansionism was marked by a particular brutality towards anyone who stood in his way. His cruelty did not spare any: Muslims, Catholics, and even fellow Orthodox Christians were subjugated to massive killings, deportations, and massacres.
What a terrible ruler.
Indeed.
An old history professor of mine, RIP, once made the comment that all religions (as far as history has noted) have persecuted other religions at some point in their respective histories. The zeal for converts can often be manipulated by politicians and monarchs to acquire territories.
At what point does the repetition of past interreligious conflicts cease to serve discipleship?
When the secular world persecutes Christians, is it wise for Christians to persecute each other? Rather would it be better for Christians to help others who are persecuted instead?
I like to focus on those shining moments of saintly courage in which Christians risked everything, including death, to help others. We become that which we focus upon.
The examples set by Christians who hid the Jews during the Nazi years shows us a better path in my perspective. Catholics issued baptismal certificates to Jews to assist in them in their escape. Jewish men were hidden in monasteries and seminaries until they could safely travel out of country. Jewish women were also hidden in monasteries; Jewish children were hidden in Catholic schools while their entire families were issued baptism certificates. Christians of other denominations hid Jewish families in their homes. All of them risked imprisonment and death squads. Yet they continued to do what they could.
These are those shining moments of Christianity at its best and we tell our children about these stellar examples in the hopes that they too, will serve God likewise.