It's South Koreans welcoming
us to Spain (in English, by the way). Of course that makes sense!
And after that, one of the second things every tourist to Madrid sees
is this:
It's Plaza Mayor, started in
1617. It was the scene of bullfights, beatifications, and the
Inquisition. That's right, the Inquisition ("...what a show...")
Might as well talk about the Spanish Inquisition, since so many people
point their fingers at it as proof that the Church isn't perfect.
Of course, if you can find me a perfect church - you'll find a church
with no one in it...because once people are involved? The word
"imperfect" immediately comes to mind.
It might seem crazy that heretics were burned at the stake, but it's a
part of the past which doesn't make the Church any less Divine just
because some leaders were way zealous centuries ago.
The Spanish Inquisition can admittedly be a little embarrassing and
confusing. The main point of it was to identify folks who pretended to
convert to Catholicism for political or social advantage but who
weren't really on board. Plus, the Inquisition could clear the good
names of people falsely accused of being heretics.
Crowds, including even the king and queen, used to hang out here to
watch all the happenings. Nowadays its just a bunch of tourists like us
scarfing food down.
Right, Matt?
Matt with a giant plate of calamari.
Matt after a giant plate of calamari.
Gluttony, anyone? Now there's a sin people should be persecuted for.
Especially since he didn't share any of it with me.
