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During colonial movements, the Spaniards actively used Christian symbols, faith, and language to ennoble their predatory interests. This approach is evident in Christopher Columbus’s “Letter of Discovery,” where he deliberately and rather ironically mentions the Divine Providence that gave him new lands. This paper aims to discuss if Christianity can be judged based on the actions of monarchists who referred to God as their source of power.
In his “Letter of Discovery,” Columbus repeatedly asks God for divine blessings for the King of Spain, who sent an expedition to America, and thanks Divine Providence, which granted the Europeans these lands. Columbus practically, if not cynically, describes the Indians’ religion, noting with satisfaction their belief in a single supreme power that rules the world. In his opinion, it is very convenient for the king if he is going to convert the Indians to the Christian faith. Columbus writes: “This is a circumstance favorable for what our most serene King especially desires, that is, their conversion to the holy faith of Christ; for which they are very ready and prone” (par. 5). Probably, here lies the line between the purely formal use of the symbols of Christianity as an expression of royal power, and the truly hostile position of Christians towards the Indians.
Based on the “Letter of Discovery,” neither Columbus nor the Spanish crown admitted the possibility of respect for the culture and religion of the Indians. On the contrary, the Spaniards regard them as an annoying ‘resource’ with which the islands are rich but which, unfortunately, have free will. The text also contains other, not related to the use of the Christian language, manifestations of disrespect for the local population. Columbus considers the Indians to be cowardly and naive and describes with condescension their hospitality and delight at the sight of strangers on large ships.
Thus, neither Christianity nor the Christian language should be blamed for the imperial ambitions of the European crowns. The intentions behind the words, and the realization of these intentions through concrete actions, are much more important. The Europeans took over the continent and did not hide it too much from themselves or the Indians, and the Christian language simply allowed the use of euphemisms for obvious concepts and intentions. Therefore, opponents of the policy of the Spanish crown also used euphemisms to critically ridicule its aggressive position.
Work Cited
Columbus, Cristopher. Letter of Discovery. VIVA, 1493. Web.
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