Question by Aonghas Shrugged: Why do many reject the updated scholarship debunking much of the propaganda of Spanish Inquisition horrors?
The 1994 BBC/A&E production, “The Myth of the Spanish Inquisition” exposes the common understanding that the Inquisition was a vast pogrom of non Catholics as largely the creation of Protestant propaganda:
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/history/world/wh0008.html
I have an academic interest in “conspiracy theory” and the “selective acceptance of science” according to whether or not it reinforces a pre-existing viewpoint of the observer. In the course of study, I find no indication that it is a foible peculiar to theist or non-theist. It is simply a human tendency, especially where emotional and dearly-held beliefs are involved.
Do you think the present anti-theist movement has made it all the more difficult for many religion critics to process the fruits of scholarship which may burst one’s favorite bubbles? Why do you think the BBC documentary raised such hackles?
[I’m not a Roman Catholic. Far from it. I’m simply a religious studies scholar doing post-doc work on a three year appointment in the U.S. Anti-Catholic mythology is something I’ve considered for a writing project.]
_____________________
Yes, I cited the Catholic website because it does a good job of summarizing the non-Catholic scholarship. I cited the BBC documentary — but readers cannot easily consult the documentary because it is not online.
Isn’t it amazing how people war over simple ideas when they conflict with their tidy worldview? As a scholar, that was my reason for posting this simple summary.
Even when the matter is so simply presented, biases and emotions could not be held back by the respondents.
Best answer:
Answer by Desiree
Sounds like Catholics making up lies to defend their corrupt organization, like they did during the pedo-priest saga.
Add your own answer in the comments!