|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christian Community by Reg Block
Imperialistic military aggression couched in politically motivated papal-style
Christianity marks the Spanish conquest of the new world. In 1492 Christopher
Columbus, under the Spanish flag, set out to find a new route to the orient. King
Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, devout Roman Catholics, sponsored the journey with
the hope of converting the heathen, claiming newly discovered lands for Spain
and seizing legendary stores of gold. Upon arriving at either Cat Island or San
Salvador, Columbus presumed he had reached the orient and great wealth was within
easy grasp. Neither would prove to be true.
The islands of the Bahamian archipelago were a disappointment for both Columbus
and the Spanish empire. There was no gold, only tobacco, Indian corn, hammocks
and poor Lucayan Indians who perceived the Spaniards as visitors from heaven.
Columbus wrote, "They ought to be good servants and of good skill for
I see that they repeat very quickly all that is said to them; and I believe that
they would easily be pleased Our Lord. I will carry off six of them, so that they
may learn to speak.
In time, it was precisely this attitude that precipitated the eventual disappearance
of the Lucayan people. By 1520 the entire population had been carried off to work
as slaves in plantations and mines in Hispanola, now the Dominican Republic. The
Bahamas would eventually be repopulated by British plantation owners and African
slaves regardless of Spain and the papacy's initial claims to the
territory.
Eris Moncour, Cat Island school district superintendent and official island historian
explains that many slaves were intelligent, educated and literate people who had
a deeper connection with Judeo-Christian beliefs than was understood by imperialist
exploiters. In fact the archives in Nassau contain manuscripts that appear to
be meticulously written in Arabic and other Middle Eastern languages.
Going back even farther, history shows that Menelek, son of Solomon and the Queen
of Sheeba, absconded with the Ark of the Covenant, which to this day is kept under
lock and key by the Ethiopian Coptic Church. Additionally, the title Lion of Judah,
an expressly Hebrew title, has been bestowed upon all Ethiopian emperors including
Haile Selassie, the last regent.
To this day the Coptic Church claims to possess written records from the time
of Solomon to the present that confirm Ethiopia's acquisition of the
Ark of the Covenant and the people's historic and spiritual journey
from Judaism to Christianity. According to Mr. Moncour, the people of Cat Island
and the Bahamas in general are connected to the River Jordan and the person of
Jesus by far more than any misguided attempts at forced conversion that operated
under the banner of Christianity.
Today, followers of Jesus Christ, more often than not, are painted with the same
brush as those who wrongfully use the name "Christian"
to further agendas motivated by greed and power, -- two motives that the Bible
militates against. Jesus cautioned against pursuing Earthly wealth in place of
seeking the Kingdom of Heaven and he makes numerous statements through stories
and parables that further clarify this point. One need only refer to the account
of the rich young ruler who chose Earthly wealth over eternal life. After which,
Jesus made the statement, "it is easier for a camel to pass through
the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
In his own life, Jesus first ministered to the needs of people and second he preached
the gospel. At no time was the gospel message conveyed through coercion or force.
Both the gospels and epistles maintain that conversion is by the Holy Spirit and
that the Christian commission is to simply present the good news.
I would encourage seekers of all faiths, to look at the message of Christianity
rather than focusing on the actions of misguided individuals and organizations
that have soiled the name of Christ. Reading through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
will help clarify who Jesus is and what it means to be a Christian. Jesus makes
statements about his exclusive divine nature, which can be challenging to some,
however I think it is important to consider that these statements are not made
in a vacuum but are based on the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Jesus
said, "seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened - I am the
door."
Reg Block is an apologist for the historic Christian faith. Your comments
and questions are welcome: reg@commonground.ca
 Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
