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.

Overview

Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Spain

Judaism is attested in Spain since early Roman times. After suffering persecution under Visigoth rule, the Jews welcomed the Moorish conquest in 711. The Arab period was indeed the Golden age of Jewish culture in Spain.

Christianity also spread very quickly in the decades following the death of Jesus and grew to become the State religion in France until modern times. During the Reformation, the large Protestant minority in France suffered persecution; the notorious 1572 St. Bartholomew's Day massacre was the darkest moment. From 1598 the Edict of Nantes issued by Henry IV guaranteed some tolerance, but its revocation in 1685 caused a massive emigration of around 500,000 Protestants from France.

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. 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.

In Depth

See also: Spanish -- Spanish language

External links