Title
Bearing False Witness: Debunking Centuries of AntiCatholic History
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As we all know and as many of our wellestablished textbooks have argued for decades, the Inquisition was one of the most frightening and bloody chapters in Western history; Pope Pius XII was antiSemitic and rightfully called Hitlers Pope, the Dark Ages were stunting the progress of knowledge to be redeemed only by the secular spirit of the Enlightenment. The religious Crusades were an early example of the rapacious Western thirst for riches and power. But what if these long held beliefs were all wrong?In this stunning, powerful, and ultimately persuasive book, Rodney Stark, one of the most highly regarded sociologists of religion and bestselling author of The Rise of Christianity (HarperSanFrancisco 1997), argues that some of our most firmly held ideas about history, ideas that paint the Catholic Church in the least favorable light are, in fact, fiction. Why have we held these wrongheaded ideas so firmly and for so long? And if our beliefs are wrong, what is the truth?In each chapter, Stark takes on a wellestablished antiCatholic myth, gives a fascinating history of how each myth became conventional wisdom and presents a startling picture of the real truth. For example, instead of the Spanish Inquisition being an anomaly of torture and murder of innocent people persecuted for imaginary crimes such as witchcraft and blasphemy, Stark argues that not only did the Spanish Inquisition spill very little blood, but it was a major force in support of moderation and justice.Stark dispels the myth of Pope Pius XII being apathetic or even helpful to the Nazi movement, such as to merit the title Hitlers Pope, and instead shows that the campaign to link Pope Pius XII to Hitler was initiated by the Soviet Union, presumably in hopes of neutralizing the Vatican in postWorld War II affairs. Many praised Pope Pius XIIs vigorous and devoted efforts to saving Jewish lives during the war.Instead of understanding the Dark Ages as a millennium of ignorance and backwardness inspired by the Catholic Churchs power, Stark argues that the whole notion of the Dark Ages was an act of pride perpetuated by antireligious intellectuals who were determined to claim that theirs was the era of Enlightenment.In the end, readers of Bearing False Witness will have a more accurate history of the Catholic Church and will also understand why it became unfairly maligned for so long. Bearing False Witness is a compelling and sobering account of how egotism and ideology often work together to give us a false truth.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Bearing False Witness'? A: 'Bearing False Witness' challenges long-held anti-Catholic myths by presenting a revised understanding of historical events related to the Catholic Church, arguing that many widely accepted beliefs are based on misconceptions.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Bearing False Witness'? A: The author of 'Bearing False Witness: Debunking Centuries of Anti-Catholic History' is Rodney Stark, a prominent sociologist of religion and bestselling author.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: 'Bearing False Witness' is available in paperback binding, making it a flexible and portable option for readers.
- Q: How many pages are in 'Bearing False Witness'? A: 'Bearing False Witness' contains 280 pages, providing a comprehensive exploration of its themes.
- Q: When was 'Bearing False Witness' published? A: 'Bearing False Witness' was published on October 9, 2017.
- Q: What subjects does 'Bearing False Witness' cover? A: 'Bearing False Witness' covers subjects related to Christianity, specifically addressing historical misconceptions about the Catholic Church.
- Q: Is 'Bearing False Witness' suitable for academic study? A: Yes, 'Bearing False Witness' is suitable for academic study as it provides well-researched arguments and historical insights relevant to discussions on religion and history.
- Q: What is the ISBN of 'Bearing False Witness'? A: The ISBN for 'Bearing False Witness' is not provided in the product details, so please check the publisher's website or bookstore for this information.
- Q: Does 'Bearing False Witness' include references or citations? A: While specific details on references or citations are not mentioned, books of this nature typically include sources to support their claims; please check the book for a bibliography.
- Q: What makes 'Bearing False Witness' a compelling read? A: 'Bearing False Witness' is compelling due to its provocative arguments that challenge established narratives, its engaging writing style, and its thorough examination of historical myths surrounding the Catholic Church.