Category:Spain

From 4 Enoch: : The Online Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism, and Christian and Islamic Origins
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Spain is a country in Europe.


Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Spain

Christianity spread very quickly in Spain in the decades following the death of Jesus, and became predominant under Roman and Visigoth rule. The Muslim conquest of 711 was felt as an occupation; the Catholic reconquista led to the expulsion of all Jews and Muslims from Spain in 1492 and to a long age on religious intolerance and conflicts.

Judaism is attested in Spain since early Roman times. After suffering persecution under Christian Visigoths, the Jews welcomed the Moorish conquest in 711. The Arab period was indeed the Golden age of Jewish culture in Spain. The Catholic Reconquista ended this experience of tolerance and culminated in the expulsion of all Jews in 1492. Edicts and acts of repression by the Inquisition against the Marranos (or Jewish conversos) continued up to the early 17th century.

Islam was present in Spain from 711 until 1492 under the rule of the Arabs and Moors of al-Andalus. After the Reconquista, Muslims were offered the choice of baptism or exile. As in the case of the Marranos, edicts and acts of repression by the Inquisition against the Morisco conversos continued up to the early 17th century.

Contemporary times

Today, the overwhelming majority of Spanish population (70-80%) is Roman Catholic, with small Protestant and Christian Orthodox minorities.

Islam has grown fast in recent years as the result of immigration, with en estimated population of one million people.

Approximately 12,000 Jews live in Spain.


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