Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Killing in the Name of God


São Domingos Square, Lisbon
Memorial to the thousands of Jews killed in this place by the Catholic Church. Massacres started in 1506, even before the Inquisition.
(The graffiti says: "Freedom to the people of Palestine")
Tomorrow I'll show you the amazing interior of the church in the background.

21 comments:

Cezar and Léia said...

Ai que triste. Esse tipo de acontecimento tão terrivel é triste, mas tem de ser sempre lembrado, principalmente para as futuras geracoes, uma coisa pra nao acontecer nunca mais!
Adorei o angulo nessa foto, sua composiçao é super bem feita!
Léia

Jack said...

This has been repeated far too many times, place after place. How sad. Your photo is excellent, beautifully composed.

Sharon said...

YOur title really caught my eye. It's something that has gone on for ages and ages and still goes on today. Why, why, why. It's one of those things I'll never understand.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

It is expected to see a memorial like this at a synagogue, but it is important to see a memorial at a church of the same faith that committed the inquisition. I hope people pause and ponder at the memorial every so often rather than just walking past it.

Although we are not Jewish, Julie and I make it a point to visit synagogues during our travels, and in some cases there are tine Jewish communities in places that were started by people fleeing the inquisition

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Beautiful photo!

Cildemer said...

Maravilhosamente bem apanhada! Angúlo e enquadramento geniais!
Com relação a religiões, até parece que o homem só criou os deuses para melhor poder justificar a guerra e a barbaridade!
Desde 1946, a Palestina jà perdeu mais do que 85% do seu território!!!

***
Bises et à bientôt****

Carolina Louback said...

Obrigada pela partilha. Acho precioso ter conhecimento da História e não sabia que em Portugal havia ocorrido tal fato.

Sérgio Pontes said...

Excelente perspectiva =)

Judy said...

"The evil that men do live after them...."

I am looking forward to seeing the interior of this church. The composition of this shot is, as usual, perfect.

Leif Hagen said...

A magnificent church with a stained history! Great photo - looking forward to tomorrow interior snap!

Anonymous said...

It's a beautiful building with a tainted history. I was not aware of this part of history.

Lowell said...

Such an excellent photo...powerful composition.

The killing goes on. Religion has arguably caused more evil - death, pain and misery - than any other thing on this earth.

So long as people continue to believe that their mythologies are the only "true" ones, and all others are doomed, the evil will continue!

cieldequimper said...

Religion and intolerance, don't get me started.

The building is absolutely gorgeous though!

Randy said...

I must agree with Jack. It really is a nice photo though. Can't wait for tomorrow.

genie said...

When will it end? So, so tragic, and I do not think there is an end in sight..certainly not in my lifetime. You composed this one beautifully. A lovely shot but a sad notation.

Sebab said...

I agree with Jacob... the killing will go on and no-one is ready to compromise. Because "My god" is the only true one. It will not stop unless the evolution theory is true and in millions of years the humans turn it to something better :D

Beautiful Picture!

Dina said...

Very nice that this is articulated and that the memorial is shown in such a public place.
They say that a big percentage of modern Portuguese have Converso blood.
Re the graffiti: it is ironic that Palestinian Christians in Israel are more secure in their freedom of worship than in any Muslim country.

Sylvia K said...

What a wonderful if sad memorial! Terrific post and photo, JM! Thank you for sharing this.

Sylvia

Francisca said...

Better not to get me started on this topic... but the church architecture is fine, and the interior in your next post is stunning. Just one of those conflicts in the heart I live with...

Dina said...

Thanks for showing us this and the burned interior walls of the church.
Both very strong.

Sorry I can't duplicate my original reactions of seeing both the first time, the ones Blogger did away with.

Small City Scenes said...

Wonderful shot--beautiful
I am glad you included the memorial. MB