ID: 43309721

Initials: PHR

    In Japan during this time period, unlike many other countries, they allowed trade with other
countries that do not follow their religion but no one was allowed to live there if they did not
believe in the teaching of Buddha. The fact that they still traded with those other countries is a
very light form of religious tolerance. Throughout 1450-1750 This was not a very common
happening and if it did most of the time it was very slight, like in Japan. Incan rulers ordered to
worship their sun as their God, but they were still allowed to their own beliefs. However, in New
Spain there was absolutely zero tolerance for other religions other than their own.

    The Incan Empire was one of the smarter empires at the time. For example they allowed their
soldiers to have their own beliefs. The soldiers were ordered to worship the sun as a God, but
they, as stated in document 2, “...were not prohibited from observing their own religions and
customs.” This was very different compared to many other armies of that time where if you did
not believe in their God then you were either punished or not allowed to join the army. This
affects history in the fact that it set a pathway for other countries to begin allowing people of
other beliefs into their army.

    However, in Spain you were not allowed to be with any religious belief other than their own.
This included not being allowed to be Jewish, Muslim, Lutheran, or Wicken. If you were anything
other than christian in that period and you resided in Spain you could have been put in jail,
exiled, or even executed for your religion. As stated in document 3, “I, Philip, being against
heretics and of those who renounce their Christian faith, declare that this edict be affixed in the
doorways of churches. We should be informed if it is known or someone has heard that a
person has…” and then he goes on to list what should be reported to them this included
widtholding information from the Inquisition, observing the law of Muhammad, following Martin
luther, and using magic and/or witchcraft. This just shows how just based on what you believed
in could have gotten you killed. Sadly, in many places, that is still a fact of the world. Just a little
remnant of these old twisted laws.

    All throughout the world religion has played a major role in how people were treated. It can be
seen in practically every single time period. It is a harsh reality that this will probably never go
away. However, there are places like Japan and The Incan Empire that gave a beacon of light
for the future of how religion would be treated throughout most of the world later in time.