My question has to do with Medieval church history.  I am looking for
evidence that REFUTES the claim that Europeans from 1000 ad - 1500 ad
believed that Christianity was the one, unique means by which God
chose to rule the universe.  I am looking for any examples of
Europeans, during this time, who might have believed in other
religions, or at least showed respect for them.

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Request for Question Clarification by scriptor-ga on 18 Mar 2006 17:55 PST

Dear lokiman,

This is a very interesting question, and I would love to try to answer
it. However, I would like to ask you for some clarification first:

Not all Europeans were Christians in the timeframe you defined.
Actually, various kinds of paganism were still practised in certain
parts Scandinavia and the Baltic regions as late as in the 13th
century. Also, many Spanish in those parts of Spain ruled by the Moors
had converted to Islam. Those would be the most obvious examples for
"Europeans, during this time, who might have believed in other
religions".

Is that what you are looking for, and if so, what kind and amount of
information would you like me to provide about Islamic Spaniards and
pagan Scandinavians and Balts?

Regards,
Scriptor

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 19 Mar 2006 17:41 PST

Let's not overlook a fairly substantial Jewish population as well.

pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by lokiman-ga on 21 Mar 2006 13:54 PST

Hi Pafalafa-ga

Yes, to clarify, what I mean by Europeans is Christian Europeans.  So
were there any Christian Europeans who were aware of other religions,
and showed respect for them, etc.  I'm most interested in the earlier
part of the time-frame I gave you.

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Clarification of Question by lokiman-ga on 22 Mar 2006 07:08 PST

Hello, is anyone working on this?

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 23 Mar 2006 10:54 PST

lokiman-ga,

I've been looking into your question, but frankly, haven't found
anything that refelcts very kindly on the church during the middle
ages, in terms of its respect for other religions.

Even diehard apologists for the church basically seem to be saying,
Hey, it was a brutal time of history, and no fair judging the
modern-day church by the actions of the church from centuries past!


Can you give us any more context for your question?  Is there
something specific you have in mind that you'd like us to look for?

Anything you can add would be helpful at this point...otherwise I fear
this question may go unanswered.


pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by lokiman-ga on 25 Mar 2006 08:55 PST

Hi Pafalafa-ga

Let's just let the question go unanswered, but thanks for your help so far.

Lokiman

And don't forget the Jews.

myoarin-ga,

Hadn't noticed your comment until after I posted the same
thought...great minds DO think alike, after all...

paf

I hope Scriptor will come back and give you a complete answer.

Of course, in Spain the Christians did (had to) recognize the
existance of the Islamic faith of their Muslim rulers, and also that
of the Jews  - as elsewhere in Europe, although, starting at the time
of the Crusades, they treated them badly.

Here is a timeline from a non-academic site, but it is probably accurate:
http://www.thebirdman.org/Index/Others/Others-Doc-Religion&Spirituality/Doc-Religion&Spirituality-Religion'sBadEffects/HistoryOfChristianBarbarism.htm

As to showing respect for non-Christian beliefs, of course, there was
a lot more superstition that related to such in those days  - with
many practices that still are common, though no longer considered to
be of religious content:  Easter bonfires, masked parades in SW
Germany in the first days of Lent.

Enough from a free comment.