You have shone light on one of the important issues for historians: trace the Jesuits. They were rigorous intellectuals not afraid to challenge the Church when they believed it was wrong, nor to fight against the Church's opponents when they believed it was correct. I've always found it useful to look to Jesuits' observations, which are often the most insightful available.
Cards on the table: I'm an Anglican. I not only look to other Christian denominations but to other religions - Judaism, Islam, Sikhs, Buddhism and elsewhere - for enlightenment. My first stop is usually the Jesuits because of their ruthless introspection.
Glad Anglicans changed their hearts. Jesuit conspiracy theories once rampant seem forgotten by the general public these days. But once they were quite extreme. Also the intellectual tradition is so essential.
You have shone light on one of the important issues for historians: trace the Jesuits. They were rigorous intellectuals not afraid to challenge the Church when they believed it was wrong, nor to fight against the Church's opponents when they believed it was correct. I've always found it useful to look to Jesuits' observations, which are often the most insightful available.
Cards on the table: I'm an Anglican. I not only look to other Christian denominations but to other religions - Judaism, Islam, Sikhs, Buddhism and elsewhere - for enlightenment. My first stop is usually the Jesuits because of their ruthless introspection.
Glad Anglicans changed their hearts. Jesuit conspiracy theories once rampant seem forgotten by the general public these days. But once they were quite extreme. Also the intellectual tradition is so essential.