Apology Issued for Reformation-Era Religious Persecution

[Jerome]

Swiss official offers apology for persecution

"In surprise comments delivered in early November, a government official in Bern, Switzerland, requested forgiveness for persecution by the church and state of Anabaptists centuries earlier. The request was issued Nov. 11 by Bernese government councilor and director of churches Christoph Neuhaus....'I apologize tonight for all that has been done to the Anabaptists in our canton,' said Neuhaus, who represents the state side of the Reformed Church"

"church and political authorities in Bern cooperated closely on anti-Anabaptist mandates from the 16th century into the 18th century. Measures controlled worship and communion, baptisms, funerals, house meetings, military taxes and enlistment. Spies and Täuferjägern (Anabaptist hunters) were on the prowl. Financial rewards enticed neighbors to report others to authorities....Punishments included fines, confiscation of goods, detention, interrogation, flogging, branding and deportation. Thirty to 40 Anabaptists were executed by 1571."

 

[Covenanter]

We've heard so many wonderful stories about the Reformers in the last few weeks - but NOTHING about their very serious errors, resulting in persecution of the baptists & other Gospel preachers who refused to conform.

These were particularly the continuation of the state-church system combined with infant/universal baptism resulting in what amounted to a denial of the Gospel of repentance, faith & baptism, with works of faith as evidence.

There are at least two other threads -

Farewell sermon - any advice? where I give the text of my sermon last Lord's Day where I took this topic. #13 onwards.

The Reformers and their Stepchildren where a very relevant book is discussed.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Swiss official offers apology for persecution

"In surprise comments delivered in early November, a government official in Bern, Switzerland, requested forgiveness for persecution by the church and state of Anabaptists centuries earlier. The request was issued Nov. 11 by Bernese government councilor and director of churches Christoph Neuhaus....'I apologize tonight for all that has been done to the Anabaptists in our canton,' said Neuhaus, who represents the state side of the Reformed Church"

"church and political authorities in Bern cooperated closely on anti-Anabaptist mandates from the 16th century into the 18th century. Measures controlled worship and communion, baptisms, funerals, house meetings, military taxes and enlistment. Spies and Täuferjägern (Anabaptist hunters) were on the prowl. Financial rewards enticed neighbors to report others to authorities....Punishments included fines, confiscation of goods, detention, interrogation, flogging, branding and deportation. Thirty to 40 Anabaptists were executed by 1571."

Why apologize for something that happened in 1571?

 

[Rebel1]

Why apologize for something that happened in 1571?

It certainly doesn't help those who were martyred back then.

 

[thatbrian]

Apologies must be given by the guilty party, to the offended party. Both are long ago dead.

 

[Covenanter]

Why apologize for something that happened in 1571?

It certainly doesn't help those who were martyred back then.

Apologies must be given by the guilty party, to the offended party. Both are long ago dead.

You are all right, of course, BUT with the 500th anniversary celebrations, I've heard NOTHING about the way Luther & the other Reformers continued the errors of the RCC with respect to state-church persecution of independent & Anabaptist Christians.

All round the world state-religion persecution continues with every religion including atheism. And its coming in the new western state religions of political correctness, sexual inclusivism, & Zionism, antisemitism, etc, all opposed to Gospel Christianity.

If we don't learn from history, we're in danger of repeating it - or watching helplessly as everyone else repeats it.

 

[kyredneck]

the new western state religions of political correctness, sexual inclusivism, & Zionism, antisemitism, etc, all opposed to Gospel Christianity.

Well said.

If we don't learn from history, we're in danger of repeating it - or watching helplessly as everyone else repeats it.

To learn from history you have to be able to discuss it in depth which necessitates the bashing of cows that are sacred to many.